Fijivillage
7 February, 2026, 7:17 am
Central - 24°C Clouds
7 February, 2026, 7:17 am Central - 24°C Clouds

We have to strike the right balance to ensure that COVID-19 is managed by everyone & try to get businesses to operate and provide jobs & income – Dr Fong

We have to strike the right balance to ensure that COVID-19 is managed by everyone & try to get businesses to operate and provide jobs & income – Dr Fong

By Vijay Narayan
31/05/2021
Permanent Secretary for Health Doctor James Fong

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says 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.

Doctor Fong says 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 says they have to adapt, learn lessons and make changes while they continue to roll out with the vaccines.

Doctor Fong says the main concern remains funeral gatherings and grog sessions, which are resulting in increasing cases in clusters.

Fijivillage has also established that people were going to a funeral gathering in Nausori in groups of 20 and returning to places like Walu Bay.

There were 5 groups of 20 at one time in the compound, and grog was also being consumed with bilos being shared.

People were also asking how this can be controlled if there is no lockdown as many people suffer while some continue to disregard the COVID-19 guidelines which will see the continuous rise of cases and continued delay for people not returning to work.

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