Lautoka Chamber of Commerce Chairman, Pyara Singh says they will be liaising with all businesses to ensure they are following all COVID-19 related protocols.
Singh says they welcome government’s decision to open businesses in the lockdown area as it will bring relief to the workers and business owners.
He says they will notify all business owners in Lautoka this morning to strictly adhere to the protocols announced by the Prime Minister.
Singh says he has also been informed that bus services will normalise in Lautoka from this morning.
Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama says supermarkets and shops selling food can open in the Nadi and Lautoka Containment Area so that people can buy food.
Banks, pharmacies, FNPF, other businesses such as factories and shops, can open as well.
However, Bainimarama says it is vital that vendors and businesses ensure strict physical distancing before opening their doors.
The Prime Minister has told businesses to make sure customers in queues are spaced out by two metres and manage crowding.
He says customer-facing businesses should limit customer capacity to 50 percent.
Bainimarama stresses that businesses that do not manage these risks with COVID-safe plans will be shut down.
Within the Nadi and Lautoka Containment Area, higher-risk businesses, such as gyms, movie theatres, video gaming shops, cyber cafes, taverns, bars, billiard shops and amusement arcades cannot open for at least the next 14 days.
The Prime Minister says restaurants may not open for in-person dining, but may offer delivery and take-away services.
