The Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport has released the list of essential businesses that can operate in lockdown and containment zones in line with COVID Safe Protocols.
The Ministry says the list of businesses is subject to review (modification, additional or removal) in considering the changing health and safety circumstances.
The list of businesses are air and rescue services, air traffic control services, civil aviation, telecommunication services, food and sanitary manufacturing plants, electricity services, emergency services, fire services, health and hospital services, lighthouse services, meteorological services, sanitary, water and sewage services, supermarkets, banks and pharmacies, supply and distribution of fuel and gas power, garbage collection, transport services, hardware – on call services and no opening of retail outlets, approved manufacturing, air and sea ports, Fiji National Provident Fund and Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, Civil Services - only essential staff, private security services, roading services – suppliers and contractors of Fiji Roads Authority, for emergencies only, veterinary services, restaurants – for takeaway and delivery services only.
The Ministry further says the following are support industries to the essential businesses and may operate which includes, support industries to the food and sanitary sectors (these are businesses that supply packaging material, labels and pellet wrappings), Biosecurity Authority of Fiji - only for on-call services and not opening of outlets, container, cartage, supply and logistics (including clearing of containers into warehouse), support services for fuel industries such as petrol pump maintenance services, support services and laying of pipelines – on call and for emergencies, IT suppliers - support and equipment (supporting connectivity for essential industries), gas suppliers to other industries - only for supplies to supermarkets, factories and apartments, plumbing services - only for on-call services and not opening of retail outlets, electrical services - only for on-call services and not opening of retail outlets, air-conditioning services - only for on-call to support essential services, fertilizer and feed manufacturers, poultry industry, tyre and vehicle spare parts suppliers - only for on-call to support essential services, mechanical services - only for on-call services and not opening of retail outlets, hotels - quarantine hotels/ those which are providing accommodation to essential workers including private sector, upholstery – for vehicles only, locksmith services, foreign exchange services, funeral services, hearse, crematorium services including casket manufacturing and marine electronics and telecommunications - only for on-call services and not opening of retail outlets.
The Ministry says for all non-containment areas, businesses that are not classified as high-risk may operate so long as they enforce mask-wearing, physical distancing and require customers and employees to have careFIJI installed with Bluetooth turned on.
High-risk businesses include: gyms, movie theatres, video gaming shops, cyber cafes, taverns, bars, billiard shops and amusement arcades, as well as hairdressers, barber shops, spas, beauty therapy, massage therapy venues, saunas and tattoo parlours and they should be closed.
The Ministry of Commerce Trade Tourism and Transport facilitates the issuance of the curfew pass which will be required should the business operate beyond designated curfew hours, Movement of Essential Good Pass - pass for movement of essential goods and services will be required should a business operate across containment zones, Permit to Operate – A ‘permit to operate’ pass may be needed on a case to case basis.
Applications are to be emailed to covidbizpass@mcttt.gov.fj or for any further queries and/or clarification, you may call phone: +679 998 6014.
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