Serious concerns raised regarding people still not adhering to COVID-19 regulations

Public non-compliance of COVID-19 regulations remains a major concern as we continue to receive reports of people walking around with no masks, people from different households drinking grog and people from different homes having drinking parties.

People are calling us, saying they are really concerned that the non-compliance will just make matters worse for everyone and we will see more severe cases and more deaths.

Although there is widespread community transmission, fijivillage is still receiving reports of some people still not wearing masks in Suva City.

We have received calls and messages regarding Qauia Settlement in Lami that has had a rapid rise of COVID-19 cases.

There are reports of some of the residents still moving around, not adhering to the COVID protocols and people from different houses getting together in the nights to have grog.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says the lockdown in Qauia Settlement has been extended until further notice as the Ministry needs more evidence of COVID safe behaviour from Qauia residents.

We have also received calls from Muanikoso Housing that was previously on lockdown.

Concerned residents say some of the people are behaving like there is no COVID-19 in the community.

They say they always see youths gathered together near Vatutalei Lane in Muanikoso Housing in the afternoons and early in the morning.

They say the youths from different houses move around in groups, most of them are not wearing masks and are also sharing cigarettes.

They say when Police are called, the youths run away when the vehicle comes, and they come back to the same spot after the Police vehicle leaves.

We have received calls from Sawani about people from different houses drinking grog together at night and turning off all the lights to ensure they are not caught.

People from Tuilovoni Road in Davuilevu Housing have told us that they always see people not wearing masks and some are even moving around during curfew hours.

They say they have seen children being sent to the shop without masks. People are also seen going to different houses.

They are calling for action as they have already called Nakasi Police, and are worried about more COVID-19 cases in their area as the cases are rising on a daily basis.

Some people from Lautoka have also called on Police to patrol the Marine Drive seawall area as they always see people walking without masks and even sitting together without masks and not practicing physical distancing.

Acting Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu says they are trying their very best in the enforcement of the health regulations.

Tudravu says at the same time people need to take ownership of their actions. He says everyone is aware of the situation that we are in, the cases are rising and people have died from this virus.

The Acting Police Commissioner says the fact that people continue to gamble with their health and display no sense of care or love for their fellow Fijians is really concerning.

Tudravu says these measures were not pulled out of thin air but have been medically proven to work as an effective means of stopping the spread of the virus.

He says some people have to get out of having the mindset or living life by only doing the right thing when Police are present as this is a situation that could prove costly to one's life if taken lightly.