Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama says with COVID-19 still raging around the world, the government is busy preparing for the official launch of careFIJI, a new mobile app that will speed up contact tracing and, eventually, allow for the secure re-opening of our borders.
After officially announcing that all the 18 confirmed cases are now COVID-19 free, Bainimarama says at the contact tracing app launch, he will announce more details.
He says that will include plans to reopen our schools and our houses of worship, and safe workplace measures that will help stimulate economic activity without jeopardising the health of the people. The Prime Minister stresses that in the meantime, all of our life-saving safety measures, including the 10pm to 5am curfew, remain in place. Bainimarama says to avoid any risk of a second wave, the healthy habits we have picked up over the past months must continue.
He says we should wash our hands, wear a face mask if we are feeling unwell, and maintain a safe physical distance from others as much as possible.
If you do plan to celebrate, don’t share takis, bilos, or cigarettes – it’s simply not worth risking your life or the life of those you love. Bainimarama says there are now zero confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Fiji, and we have not recorded a new case in 45 days; that is over three full incubation periods for the virus – granting us a high level of confidence that the virus has been wholly eliminated within our borders.
He says overcoming this challenge is a defining moment for Fiji, but even as we welcome this victory for our people, we must continue to pray for and support those around the world who are still suffering from this pandemic’s devastation.
Bainimarama says there is always a chance new cases will be confirmed as Fijians continue to return from some of these countries to be reunited with their families, but they will be contained by their mandatory, closely-monitored hotel quarantine, eliminating the risk of community transmission.
He says every step forward will be carefully considered, and every decision will be backed by the best available science.
The Prime Minister has also extended a big, heartfelt “vinaka vakalevu” to the frontline healthcare heroes, the contact tracing team, and the disciplined forces – all of whom have made extraordinary sacrifices to keep Fiji safe.
He says while their work is far from over, getting us to this milestone is a massive win in itself, so we all owe them a debt of gratitude.
