Questions are being raised by many people on why the United Kingdom Foreign Office has Fiji in the list of countries that has risks of methanol poisoning from tainted alcoholic drinks although there have been no confirmed cases here.
According to the BBC, the full list of countries listed as posing a risk of methanol poisoning are: Brazil, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, and Vietnam.
This can seriously affect our tourism industry.
fijivillage News asked Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Viliame Gavoka on what is being done about this issue.
Gavoka says they acknowledge the travel advice by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office listing Fiji as one of the countries posing a risk of methanol poisoning.
Gavoka says they believe this advisory is related to the 'Pina Colada' case last year.
He says as established, nothing harmful was found in the drinks following tests in Fiji and New Zealand.
Gavoka adds this was an isolated case.
He says tourism operators maintain the highest standards and Government reassures all travellers that Fiji is a safe destination.
The Deputy Prime Minister says the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Fiji Police Force, diplomatic channels and the tourism partners, continues to prioritise the health and safety of all visitors, and remains transparent in its ongoing monitoring and communications.
He stresses they give the highest priority to the safety and security of our citizens and visitors alike and will continue to monitor and implement measures that enforce this.
