Over 2,000 Fijians have been registered by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport who want to travel to Viti Levu from Vanua Levu and other maritime areas.
Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Shaheen Ali says these people will be issued passes and they request those who have registered to be patient and await announcements on the dates and times when the movements to Viti Levu can be done.
The Ministry reiterates that the nature of movement from Vanua Levu and other maritime Islands to Viti Levu must be for permanent relocation or for medical reasons and not for short visits.
Ali says that in addition to the movement from outer islands to Viti Levu, Fijians who want to move from Viti Levu to other areas can also register and the requirements and movement protocols from Viti Levu to Vanua Levu are currently being developed and an announcement will be done soon on how and when that movement can be facilitated.
He also says the Ministry has received over 6,000 calls on 163 daily since Monday and they request Fijians who are not able to speak to an official, to please register their interest by sending a direct message on the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Facebook page or email domesticrepat@mcttt.gov.
Ali adds the Ministry, together with relevant agencies, will undertake monitoring to ensure compliance with COVID-safe measures and protocols whilst Fijians travel from Vanua Levu and other maritime islands to Viti Levu.
If you are on Vanua Levu and the maritime islands and want to return home to a location on Viti Levu, you need to call 163 and provide the following details such as personal details of the person(s) travelling between Vanua Levu and other maritime islands to Viti Levu, reason for travel and the preferred mode of travel, of the person(s) travelling between Vanua Levu and other maritime islands to Viti Levu and duration and location of stay whilst relocated on Viti Levu.
