We'll need to break the habit of shaking hands, hugging and sharing takis and bilos - PM

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says we will also need to break the habit of shaking hands, hugging and sharing takis and bilos adding instead, simply share a “bula” from a safe distance and limit in-person contact as much as possible.

While announcing new measures to battle COVID-19, he says this is not just about protecting ourselves, this is about responsibility –our responsibility to the well-being of the countless Fijians who we cross paths with every day.

Bainimarama says do it to protect the elderly woman we walk by at the market, the man with a pre-existing heart condition who rides the bus with you, or the grandparent who you look after.

The Prime Minister says while the steps we can take as individuals are critical, to be effective, the preparations for COVID-19 must be society-wide adding we need everyone aware of the risks and actively participating in our nationwide response.

He says because the sobering reality is that, while we have yet to see a case in our country, our population is already vulnerable to coronavirus.

The Prime Minister adds those with pre-existing conditions and NCDs – like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer – are at a higher risk of death by COVID-19.

He has encouraged all Fijians to use this moment to make lasting lifestyle changes to improve their health – by doing so, you are guarding yourself and those you love from communicable viruses, like COVID-19, and non-communicable disease alike.

Bainimarama says to maximise our larger prevention and containment efforts, they will continue to work closely with our hotel and tourism partners to help identify, isolate and treat any visitors who may be experiencing symptoms of the virus.

He further says this is not a time for panic, but a time for prudence adding they have already made a number of critical unbudgeted expenditures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bainimarama adds but it is clear we need to reassess our spending priorities for the remainder of the financial year.

The Prime Minister says the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will announce a COVID-19 Response Budget on the 26th of this month – where they will lay out their financial game plan for protecting our people and supporting Fijian businesses and livelihoods through what will undoubtedly be a difficult period.

He says ahead of that response budget, Sayed-Khaiyum will be sitting down with the FNPF and banks to discuss ways to mitigate the impact the COVID-19 global economic slowdown is having – and will continue to have – on individual Fijian workers and their families.

Bainimarama has also urged people to not politicize the issue.