Fijivillage
8 February, 2026, 9:07 am
Central - 24°C Rain
8 February, 2026, 9:07 am Central - 24°C Rain

Schools will be a safe zone for students who will not be mandated to get vaccinated – Dr Fong

Schools will be a safe zone for students who will not be mandated to get vaccinated – Dr Fong

By Shanil Singh
17/09/2021
[image: File]

Permanent Secretary for Health Doctor James Fong has revealed that schools will be a safe zone for students who will not be mandated to get vaccinated but they will be encouraged to take the jab.

He highlighted this when questioned by Legend FM News on what will happen to those students who do not get vaccinated when schools open again in the country.

Dr Fong says the re-opening of schools is not predicated on mandatory vaccination for the children however they will keep encouraging students to get vaccinated even after school resumes.

He says what we need to do is vaccinate everyone over the age of 18 years and they are currently carrying out an audit for schools to identify all the poorly ventilated spaces.

Dr Fong also says indoor masking will be made mandatory in schools.

Meanwhile Permanent Secretary for Education Anjeela Jokhan says they are working closely with the Ministry of Health so they can safely bring our year 12 and 13 students back to school.

Jokhan says all school staff who interact with students will also be vaccinated as the school will act as an extended bubble for students.

She is urging students between the ages of 15 and 17 to get vaccinated for their safety and the safety of their friends.

Jokhan adds they are using all resources at their disposal to ensure that this program is safe, accessible and is the best option for the students to return to school. She says more information on the vaccination roll out will be released in the next couple of days.

FEATURE NEWS
Fiji to meet NZ in Perth 7s semi final at 4.57pm
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s team will take on New Zealand in the first semi final of the Perth 7s this afternoon at 4.57.Fiji secured their s...
1 hour ago
LATEST NEWS
CWM Radiology Dept closed this weekend as staff take time off
The Radiology Department at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital remains closed until tomorrow after staff took time off in lieu.fijivillage News ...
42 minutes ago

IWA Charity Ball : Compain says if you visited CWM, it would bring even the bravest of us to tears
More than 470 guests gathered for the International Women’s Association (IWA) Charity Ball at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva with one clear ...
10 hours ago

90 Fijian workers depart for Australia under PALM Scheme
90 Fijian workers have departed for Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme, carrying the hopes of their ...
15 hours ago

Namelimeli Village funds its own development through land leases
The village of Namelimeli in Namosi is driving its own development through funds earned from land leases, with villagers working together to build ...
16 hours ago

Learn from elders or risk early death, Health Minister warns youth
Young people must learn from the mistakes of their elders or face continuing Fiji’s growing non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis.This stark ...
16 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Minister ready to repay business class air fare for wife as concerns grow about Sports Council deals
I was invited to travel to New Zealand by the Fiji Sports Council for a grassroots 7s tournament in 2024, I travelled business class but it was ...
2 days ago

Barbara Malimali, former Attorney General Graham Leung and lawyers Wylie Clarke and Laurel Vaurasi's counsels made submissions for leave to apply for judicial review of the Commission of Inquiry into Malimali's appointment as FICAC Commissioner
The application for leave for the judicial review has been made by former FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali, former Attorney General Graham Leung ...
2 days ago

Malimali’s legal battle against President, PM and AG
Another legal battle starts today as sacked FICAC Commissioner, Barbara Malimali takes her matter to court against the President, Prime Minister and ...
3 days ago

TOP