Some people from Kadavu breaching containment borders and moving marijuana from Kadavu to Suva

Police Commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho says they are tightening border controls after an assessment that some people from Kadavu are allegedly transporting marijuana out of Kadavu to places like Suva and going back to the island.

Qiliho says this is a major concern as the illegal drug trade continues, and these people are even breaching the borders to move out of COVID free places to come to COVID affected areas, and then going back.

He says discussions are being held today to ensure that they use night vision equipment to monitor vessels at night as information has come through that these people are moving around in boats at night.

Qiliho says these unfortunate border breaches have ended up with a COVID case in Kadavu, and he is calling on people to ensure they are following the law.

He says border security has also been tightened in Viti Levu as more cases are also appearing in places like Tailevu and Naitasiri.

Qiliho says people breaching the law will be taken to task however he is also calling on everyone to be responsible and avoid the spread of COVID-19.

Meanwhile Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says in regard to the case reported from Rakiraki Village in Yale, Kadavu, given the clinical details of the case, and link to persons known to have illegally travelled between Suva and Kadavu, they have to assume there is community transmission on the island of Kadavu.

He says to help with the public health containment measures they have suspended shipping services to Kadavu for a week starting today to the 26th of August 2021.

There will also be a 14 day containment zone established for the Gasele Nursing Zone in Kadavu.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services reiterates its call for maritime islanders to not engage in unauthorised travel to and from Viti Levu.