This is not the time to relax restrictions on the movement of people between the containment zones – Chaudhry

Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry says with 157 cases of COVID-19 reported between last Friday and this morning, there is every reason to take another look at easing the restrictions.

Chaudhry says the rapidly rising numbers of COVID infections in the Suva/Nausori corridor and now parts of Nadi, is a matter of serious concern.

He says the lockdown of CWM and Nadi Hospitals following the detection of infection among patients and medical staff, has spread fear among the people that the situation may be getting out of control.

Chaudhry further says this is not the time to relax restrictions on the movement of people between the containment zones and our people must be protected.

He adds if anything, good sense dictates that the government reconsider its earlier decision to relax the movement of people to allow businesses to re-open.

Chaudhry says this should wait until the infection numbers subside and our hospitals are decontaminated.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong had said in the press conference over the weekend that they have to strike the right balance to ensure that COVID-19 is managed by everyone and also try to get people to operate businesses and provide jobs and income.

Dr Fong said he gets many calls at night where people are saying the biggest impact some people are having is through COVID restrictions where many businesses are closed. He said they have to adapt, learn lessons and make changes while they continue to roll out with the vaccines.