We believe the virus is still circulating in Nadi, Lautoka, Rakiraki, Lami and potentially throughout the rest of Viti Levu – Dr Fong

The Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong says they believe this virus is still circulating in Nadi, in Lautoka, in Rakiraki, in Lami and, potentially,throughout the rest of Viti Levu.

Dr Fong says right now, the pandemic in Fiji is only a spark, but if that spark is not quickly and aggressively extinguished, a tiny ember is all it takes to start a massive, uncontrollable wildfire that claims thousands of Fijian lives.

Dr.Fong says that’s why they are taking such aggressive measures and their goal is elimination adding they must dedicate everything they have into putting out this flame before it grows.

He further says given the rapidly rising number of contacts stemming from new cases of COVID-19 in the Suva- Nausori area, the Suva-Nausori lockdown will commence from 11 o’clock tonight until Wednesday, the 19th of May, at 4am.

Dr.Fong is urging Fijians living in the Suva and Nausori containment areas to make appropriate preparations for an all-day stay-at-home order which will remain in force from this evening, the 14th of May, at 11pm until Wednesday morning, the 19th of May,at 4am.

He says the rules of the lockdown will be the same as last time, no one should leave their home, no businesses should be open except those given explicit permission to operate and movement for medical emergencies is the only movement that will be permitted for members of the public.

Dr.Fong says otherwise, it will be only the Police, his contact tracers, food ration delivery teams, and other essential service providers, on the streets and no one else.

He assures people food rations will be available during the later stages of the lockdown period for Fijians living within the Suva-Nausori Lockdown Zone who have a genuine need for an emergency food supply.

Dr.Fong says outside of the lockdown zone, the borders of the other containment areas will remain firmly in place for the foreseeable future adding that as announced on Wednesday, to further restrict movement, the 6pm until 4am curfew will take effect from tomorrow for the rest of Viti Levu.

He is once again urging people to practice COVID safe guidelines such as physical distancing, mask-wearing, having the careFiji app adding that nothing kills the virus more assuredly than staying at home.

Dr Fong says but on the contrary, if rules are broken, Fijians will die not the virus.