National Federation Party President, Pio Tikoduadua says the people of Fiji are now being penalised for the government’s inability to ensure strict enforcement and adherence of protocols around COVID-19 quarantine facilities, however, Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete has said that the matter is being thoroughly investigated by their team on the ground.
Tikoduadua says it is now abundantly clear that those enforcing quarantine protocols often overlook it to come in contact with those staying in quarantine.
He says this clearly happened in the case of the soldier who came into contact with a hotel worker which then led to community transmission.
He says unfortunately for the last two days, the focus is on the 53-year-old woman and not the soldier or the persons he came into contact with.
The NFP President says all we are told that the matter is being fully investigated but this is not good enough.
He says the people of Fiji are entitled to full disclosures on this matter because they are now being made to sacrifice their freedom of movement, worship, gathering and sports.
Tikoduadua says any investigation must first establish how and why the soldier came into contact with persons in quarantine.
Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete says we have to remember that these are the people that have been working hard to keep us COVID-19 contained for over a year.
He says investigations are ongoing and they are looking at ways to improve their processes because they do not want these things to happen again.
Dr Waqainabete adds medical experts are doing an audit of the things that happened.
Tikoduadua also says that the Prime Minister’s announcement of lockdown and restrictive measures are confusing and raises more questions than providing answers.
He says there is total confusion surrounding the announcement of no religious services because there is no clarity about weddings and funeral gatherings especially when there is no social distancing on public transport, streets, shopping malls and restaurants.
Tikoduadua claims that police reportedly told the family of a 90-year-old woman whose funeral is to take place today in Sigatoka that only five people are allowed to gather.
He says common sense dictates that 6 people are required to be pallbearers and in this case, the woman has 16 children and 40 grand-children.
We have contacted Police about this claim. They are yet to comment.
Tikoduadua adds when similar measures were enforced last year the number was restricted to 20 and although it was illogical, it provided some clarity.
He says it seems everyone including enforcers of the law have their own interpretation of the measures announced by the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong has made it clear that non-work gatherings should not be happening of any size, anywhere in Fiji.
Doctor Fong says he knows this is a bitter pill to swallow for those who had planned religious celebrations but this is a life or death matter.
He says those services, no matter how small, could put lives at risk.
Doctor Fong says their discipline and sacrifice today will keep COVID-stricken patients out of ICUs and prevent loss of life.
He asks people, for now, please keep your celebrations within your homes and restricted to members of your households.
Doctor Fong says find comfort in family, and have faith that our strict adherence to these health measures will restore our precious freedom to gather for religious services once Fiji is safe again.
Doctor Fong also says the soldier who tested positive over the weekend remains in border quarantine facility and he never entered public spaces.
He says their contact tracing has been limited to his 69 primary contacts within the facility as well as their 267 secondary contacts. These contacts are all in quarantine.
The 53-year-old maid is the only positive case from the soldier’s 69 primary contacts.
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