Fiji opens travel within maritime islands as more people get vaccinated
SUVA, Nov. 12– Fiji’s Ministry of Health Friday said individuals can now travel to and from Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island, to Vanua Levu and maritime islands under risk-reduction protocols. Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Health James Fong said the overall vaccination coverage for Vanua Levu and all maritime islands is above 80 percent. Fong said pending…
SUVA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) — Fiji’s Ministry of Health Friday said individuals can now travel to and from Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island, to Vanua Levu and maritime islands under risk-reduction protocols.
Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Health James Fong said the overall vaccination coverage for Vanua Levu and all maritime islands is above 80 percent.
Fong said the quarantine requirement will be removed. However, travel will be limited to fully vaccinated persons. Passenger capacity on shipping vessels will be restricted and additional measures will be taken to ensure that all COVID-19 safe measures are stringently enforced.
Registration of passengers will no longer be required before travelling.
Maritime communities with less than 60 percent double dose vaccine coverage will be red zoned and highlighted for ongoing escalated community engagement, he said.
Red-zoned communities in maritime islands will be required to institute a seven-day quarantine protocol for incoming travellers subject to ongoing changes as advised by the ministry.
The ministry expects to fully vaccinate 90 percent of the eligible adult population by Saturday.
Fong said pending confirmation of the 90 percent threshold, the curfew hours will move to 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. local time from Sunday.
Fiji reported its first confirmed COVID-19 case on March 19 last year and its second wave of COVID-19 started in April this year.
The island nation, which has a population of around 900,000, has now recorded more than 52,000 COVID-19 confirmed cases in total, with 679 deaths.
Fong warned that Fijians need to understand that the third wave of COVID-19 will come in the island nation, and they need to take all measures to protect themselves and those around them. Enditem
