Police now working with the RFMF in their special COVID-19 operations

The Fiji Police Force will be stepping up on the enforcement of the failure to comply with orders pertaining to health restrictions and officers will be moving around to ensure people are wearing masks in containment or lockdown zones, business operators are complying with restrictions, public service vehicle operators are adhering to the 50% capacity guidelines and the clamping down of social gatherings.

Acting Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu says as part of the whole of government approach, they are now working with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces in their special COVID-19 operations.

Tudravu says officers will be deployed throughout the divisions to ensure full compliance.

Tudravu says it is evident that in order to protect the majority of Fijians from certain individuals who continue to make foolish decisions resulting in the spread of COVID-19, tougher measures need to be taken and Fijians should expect more arrests to be made.

He says officers from the Police Special Response Unit have been deployed to assist with enforcement and those found breaching restrictions will be arrested and taken into custody.

The Acting Commissioner of Police says this is being done to help protect those who are genuinely concerned about their health and well-being.

Tudravu says it is quite clear that there is misguided opposition to the preventative measures outlined by the Ministry of Health, and in order to protect those who are serious about protecting themselves, they need to take tougher action against those who are blatantly disregarding the measures.