National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad has questioned how people who display COVID-19 symptoms are expected to find their own way to the nearest health facility when they are already struggling to put food on the table however Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong says they have a retrieval service for those with severe symptoms.
Prasad has also questioned what will happen during curfew hours when public transport is not available.
Dr Fong says they are asking people with symptoms to come to the health centres as opposed to waiting for the team to come to them.
Prasad says it is a matter of serious concern that two different ministries of government totally contradict each other in terms of the so-called mitigation strategy to tackle COVID-19.
He says Dr Fong has repeatedly emphasized the need for people to stay at home and only move around for essential services but Minister for Commerce Faiyaz Koya has revealed they are looking at re-opening not only retail business but allowing restaurants, food courts and gyms to be fully operational under COVID safe measures.
Koya has already stressed that no business, however large or small, will be permitted to operate if they are not following the protocols set by the Fijian Government.
He says authorities will not hesitate to shut down and take businesses to task, should they fail to comply with the protocols.
Currently, only essential business and those with special approval can operate in the Lami-Suva-Nausori containment zone.
All businesses in the North and the maritime islands, can operate following all COVID safe protocols.
He says Fijians are reminded that restaurants in Viti Levu remain open for takeaway only with no in-dining services.
Koya says Fiji’s retail sector has been amongst the hardest hit by the pandemic. This has especially been the case for non-essential retail in the Lami-Suva-Nausori containment zone, which have been closed for over two months.
He says without COVID-safe pathways to open, many non-essential retail outlets risk shutting down permanently, costing Fijian families’ years of hard-earned progress and jobs that many count on.
Koya says these protocols pave the way for retail businesses to operate safely in line with the COVID-safe mitigation strategy, so they can employ Fijians and stimulate vital economic activity.
He says the protocols establish the requirements for safely operating businesses in ways that mitigate the risk of the transmission of COVID-19.
Koya adds says while retail businesses outside the Nausori-Suva-Lami containment zone do not need to apply, they must adhere to the protocols.
He says despite being closed, they have seen businesses pivot and adapt to the new norm, whether it’s increasing its digital presence, or offering completely new products.
The Minister also says Fijians must remember that all economic considerations are taken, together with health and safety.
Prasad says our people need care and compassion at the most critical time in our independent history.
The NFP Leader says they know the government is cash-strapped and it has been so for a while but it must not sacrifice its citizens for its own failures.
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