People who are living in the Nadi, Lautoka, Suva, Lami and Nausori containment zones and cannot go to work due to the COVID-19 zones in place can now apply for two lots of $45 as a grocery payment as part of a new assistance provided by the government.
They will need to text their name, address, the number of people in their household, and their FNPF account number if there is any.
Those who are already receiving the unemployment benefits are not entitled to this payment.
People who are outside of the containment zone but cannot work as per directive from the Health Ministry can also apply.
Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says they will be finalizing all the technical aspects of it today and will be giving out specific numbers where people can text or call.
Sayed-Khaiyum says they hope to start with the program from Thursday.
He says the government has spoken to the telecommunication companies and they will be using the Vodafone M-Paisa platform and the MyCash platform through Digicel.
The Attorney General says people will receive funds on these platforms and they can either purchase their groceries or take out cash.
He is urging people to use this assistance responsibly.
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