SMEs raise concern about the use of VAX Check tool as they find this process slow and cumbersome

A restaurant owner from Suva, Felisha Tuiloma says one of the challenges they face is particularly with the Vax Check Tool and businesses find this process slow and cumbersome.

While speaking during a MSME Policy Dialogue, Tuiloma says customers come in for a lunch or coffee and they go through their process of temperature check, Vax Check Tool and then it takes time for the information to come through and sometimes there is a bit of delay due to slow internet.

While representing the SMEs, Tuiloma also highlighted the cost involved in following the COVID-safe protocols.

She also questioned how are the home-based catering businesses monitored as to how they follow the COVID protocols.

Tuiloma says their proposed solution is if there is a possibility to sight the VAX card instead of going online and going through the waiting process for checks with slow internet.

Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Trade Shaheen Ali told the participants that they will raise their concerns with respective agencies and find solutions collectively.

Ali says COVID-19 has made it especially difficult for them to be operational more so than the larger business.

He adds larger business perhaps are more apt to be able to absorb the added cost of doing businesses associated in compliance with COVID safe measures.