State of Natural Disaster extended for Vanua Levu

The State of Natural Disaster has been extended for Vanua Levu until 16th February 2021.

This is to allow officials to continue to provide relief and rehabilitation support in TC Yasa affected areas.

NDMO Director, Vasiti Soko had earlier stated that this declaration allows them to call on all of the government's assets to be on standby and be mobilized.

The declaration means the evacuation of people in their own interests, or in order to facilitate the necessary operations of the Police or Military personnel, the temporary acquisition or control of any property, undertaking or land, the entering and searching of any premises and the supply and distribution of essential relief supplies, medical assistance, shelter or other resources.

It also means the maintenance of transportation by land, sea or air and the control of the transport of persons and resources, directing the movement of persons by land, sea or air in the interest of safety and prohibiting the unjustified exploitation of a disaster for profit.

Under the declaration, any person, body or entity who contravenes any order made by an officer of the Fiji Police Force or the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces in performing a role or discharging a responsibility under these regulations commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both.