Essential services and work to continue – Doctor Fong

Public transportation within the different containment zones will be available from today but limited to 50% seating capacity.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says they have made arrangements through the Land Transport Authority for this to be practically implemented.

Civil servants will be authorised to work from home at the discretion of their respective Permanent Secretaries.

Doctor Fong says essential businesses will remain open, as they did during the lockdown period last year.

That list includes air and rescue services, air traffic control services, ports services, civil aviation, telecommunication services, food, and sanitary manufacturing plants, electricity services, emergency services, fire services, health, and hospital services, lighthouse services, meteorological services, mine pumping, ventilation and winding, sanitary services, supply and distribution of fuel and gas, power, telecommunications, garbage collection, transport services, water and sewage services, FNPF and FRCS, civil service, private security services, and roading services.

If your business is not on this list, close it down.

The ports of Lautoka and Suva will remain open for international freight shipping and inter-island cargo shipping.

Any inter-island passenger travel from the ports of Suva, Denarau, Vuda, and Lautoka remain prohibited.

They will implement the previous Agriculture Marketing Authority arrangements to get food and produce into the respective containment zones.

At all checkpoints, suppliers can arrange with a police driver to ensure that produce still comes into the respective containment zones, and they do not let the virus escape the containment zones.

Employers in the listed essential businesses need to arrange a permission document for their employees in order to pass through the checkpoints, as was the case during the previous lockdown.

Employers should also try and make arrangements for their critical workers to move into the zones for the 14 day period.

Please contact 158 to acquire the permission documents which are your passes.

The Fiji Police Force will efficiently facilitate responses.

For those who cannot attend work at all because of the set-up of the containment zones, they will be able to access $220 a fortnight from their FNPF.

If funds are insufficient, the Government will top up the accounts.

Even within the respective containment zones, residents are again advised to avoid large social gatherings, particularly indoors.

Doctor Fong says your interactions should be limited entirely to those already living in your households.

If you need to walk around or exercise you may do so, but wear masks and maintain social distance when you must be out.

It is particularly important to download the careFIJI app and keep your phone Bluetooth turned on.

Wash your hands regularly.

Doctor Fong says we cannot afford to lose the war against this virus.

He says most Fijians are following and respecting the rules put in place but too many still aren’t.

Doctor Fong says if you’ve been thinking that this virus isn’t your problem, or that somehow your behavior hasn’t needed to change, get a grip.

He says this virus is here and it is serious.

Report any symptoms you’re feeling as soon as they develop by calling the COVID-19 Call Centre on toll-free number 158.

Stop sharing bilos and takis. Stop shaking hands, touching and embracing.

Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, multiple times a day.