Minister for Housing and Community Development, Premila Kumar says the ministry is concerned that the residents in some informal settlements are not following COVID-19 safety protocols, and are socialising with their neighbours over grog or just a talanoa session.
Kumar says it has been brought to their attention that children are moving freely from one house to another in groups in the settlements.
She says staying home means staying in your own home and not moving from one home to another.
Kumar says if infected, the virus can also move from one house to another.
Given the extremely high number of informal settlements located in between these containment areas and the large number of Fijians residing in these settlements, the Ministry is concerned that in these settlements, the risk of spreading the COVID 19 virus would be high unless proper safety measures are followed.
Kumar says residents in informal settlements need to understand the seriousness and gravity of the situation currently faced due to the virus in the country.
She says these settlements can become hotspots for the spread of the virus and the ministry is encouraging people to observe all COVID-19 safety measures.
These include practicing two metres social distancing, wearing of face masks, washing of hands with soap and water regularly, usage of hand sanitizers and most importantly staying home.
Kumar says the ministry also wants not only the residents of these settlements but also the general public to download the careFIJI app which is vital in tracking any local transmission of the virus.
Meanwhile, the ministry has temporarily stopped “in person counter services” during the lockdown period.
The public can contact the ministry for its services on 3309918 or log on to www.housing.gov.fj to access their online services.
