Passengers can travel to Viti Levu, but once in Viti Levu they can only leave when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
The Ministry of Transport in consultation with the Ministry of Health and relevant maritime stakeholders have now outlined restrictions on inter-island shipping.
Effective from midday today, all outbound inter-island passenger travel from Viti Levu has been suspended.
The Ministry of Transport has also emphasized the need for adherence to all health and hygiene protocols, including installing the careFIJI mobile application and keeping the Bluetooth turned on.
For the roll on roll off vessels, operators must allow designated commercial goods vehicles only with its drivers to board the vessel, vessel operators are to keep a register of details for all drivers and those who board the vessels, including contact details.
All drivers and vessel operators are to wear Personal Protective Equipment at all times.
Shipping operators are to discourage crew members from unnecessarily disembarking at ports and jetties and socialising at these points. A 2-metre physical distancing rule should apply.
For inter-island shipping, operators and crew are to offload cargo and freight at a designated location on the jetty or port with minimal contact.
Drivers can move with their vehicles and deliver in outlying islands.
Truckers and vessel operators are to ensure that proper precautionary measures are taken, including wearing of PPEs such as face masks, regular washing of hands, using hand sanitisers, and 2-metres social distancing.
Members of the public collecting freight are to collect from the designated point, practising social distancing. They are not to board the vessel under any circumstances.
Small crafts that intend to transport essential provisions between Viti Levu and closer islands are required to inform the Maritime Surveillance Centre on 1539 (toll free) or email operations@mrscfiji.org on their travel intentions.
