More villages step up COVID-19 protection measures

Many villagers are taking drastic steps to protect their families and community from the COVID-19 virus.

Buca Village Headman, Kitione Rawalai says they have told villagers who are working in Labasa and Savusavu not to visit the village for the time being since they are stepping up their COVID-19 protection measures. Rawalai says they are very worried about the recent increase in cases in Fiji and they are not waiting for the virus to reach Vanua Levu to start their preparations.

He says a team has been posted at the village entry in Cakaudrove, conducting scanning and temperature checks for every villager moving in and out.

Rawalai adds this team is on 24-hour rotation and they are also recording the whereabouts of any villager who travels out for essentials.

Rawalai says villagers have been told to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations such as two metres distance, no sharing of bilo or takis during a grog session, and no person from one household should gather at another person's home.

He highlighted that they are taking this drastic step to protect their families and assist the government in their fight against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Nukubalavu villager Arthur Davies says they have restricted any visitors entering the village and these measures has the support of the vanua, the village headman, the village nurse and the House of Tui Nasavusavu who is the head of the Nukubalavu District.

Davies says they have also put guidelines for the villagers where people who wish to drink grog will have to bring their bowl and sharing of cigarettes and suki is prohibited.

Mokani Village in Tailevu has set up a screening station at the village entry point where everyone that is coming into the village will undergo temperature checks and they have stopped all visitors from entering their village.

The COVID-19 screening team has advised the villagers that they will only be allowed to drink grog in their homes with their own family members and for them to stay home unless they have an essential reason to leave.

Other villagers taking these steps include Nakelo and Nadali villages in Tailevu, and Sawani Village in Naitasiri.