Concerns raised as hundreds of people are lining up outside Vodafone and Digicel outlets to get the $50 Government assistance

Concerns are being raised by people that there is a great danger of COVID-19 spreading as people are waiting in long lines outside Vodafone and Digicel outlets to cash out the Government’s $50 COVID cash assistance

People have contacted us, saying it goes against the Health Ministry’s directives to stay away from crowds.

The long lines are seen in the Central Division which currently has an increasing number of cases, with the potential of cases even going up further.

A large crowd of people is seen lining up outside the Digicel outlet at the corner of Cumming Street in Suva and this line extends to the end of the street.

There is also a long line seen outside the Vodafone Triangle.

People outside these outlets are masked up, however physical distancing is not managed.

There is also a long line outside the Vodafone and Digicel outlets at Damodar City. A section of the car park is cleared to manage physical distancing.

A few police officers are also present to ensure COVID-19 guidelines are followed.

People at Damodar City are masked up and physical distancing is managed well.

There are also long lines at the Nakasi outlet.

People are advised that you can use MPAiSA and MyCash to pay for items at the supermarkets and registered shops, so you do not have to crowd up outside the outlets of the mobile phone companies to get the cash as there is a high risk of the virus spreading in crowds.

The Fijian Government has paid out around $11.2 million to over 224,000 Fijians as part of its $50 cash assistance program for the informal sector.

This is being paid through the MPAiSA and MyCash platforms.

We have contacted Police regarding the long lines.