Officials start contacting some hotels and motels in Suva to possibly use them as COVID-19 quarantine centres for primary contacts

Government officials have started contacting some hotels and motels in Suva to possibly use them as COVID-19 quarantine centres for primary contacts of new cases.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong has said that to increase quarantine quality and capacity, they will be using several of Suva’s hotels and motels as quarantine centres.

This engagement of the private sector is being done in conjunction with the Ministry of Economy.

Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association CEO, Fantasha Lockington says the requirements are already being checked for some hotels in Suva.

She says the hotels would also need some time to get enough staff into place.

She says the hotels would also need some time to get enough staff into place. 

Lockington says based on the current setup for some hotels as quarantine facilities, certain sections of the hotel are isolated and that is where the people are accommodated.

Meanwhile Doctor Fong says bringing these companies on board does more than lend efficiency, it allows businesses in Fiji to earn money and re-ignite employment and hiring.