Dialogue Fiji Director, Nilesh Lal says he believes there is still a very high level of prevalence of COVID-19 in our community and we need to tread with a lot of caution with regards to the extent we liberalise and ease restrictions as it sends a wrong signal to the people that the outbreak is over.
Lal says he is acutely aware of the economic repercussions but also believes that the greater economic interest is better served by having a greater control over the outbreak.
He says COVID-19 has created fast-evolving and highly volatile situations in other countries and those that have suddenly opened up have had less than desirable outcomes.
The Director says some of these countries have had a higher vaccination rate and a more public health advice compliant population.
He says the high level of vaccination in Fiji has been the main reason that has prevented a worse outcome and has brought the outbreak under control to an extent and this is certainly going to be useful going forward.
Lal however says the COVID-19 vaccines also have limited efficacy and are not fully effective in preventing transmission and we can very well have a situation where our healthcare system can become overwhelmed again with COVID cases due to another wave of the virus.
Lal says its always better to err on the side of caution and it is a lesson COVID-19 has taught us.
He is urging everyone to be responsible as now more than ever it is important that people adhere to the messages that are put out by health agencies.
