Gatherings can now take place at 50% of a venue's capacity

Fijians can now gather at 50% capacity of the venue as the restriction to have 100 at a venue has been amended.

Acting Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says they are allowing for houses of worship, restaurants, cafes, entertainment venues such as gaming centres, bars, pubs and conferences and meeting venues, swimming pools, common areas in boarding facilities and weddings, funerals and other community gatherings to function at 50% capacity.

He is urging event organisers to make sure everyone attending the event has the careFIJI app installed with the bluetooth switched on or they must manually sign in with someone at the front.

Dr. Fong has also confirmed that any requests from nightclubs to seek new business designations will be approved on a case by case basis, with compulsory input from the Ministry of Health.

The Acting Permanent Secretary says their teams need to ensure these venues can operate in a COVID-safe manner before any new designation can be considered and they can re-open their doors.

He says they have had to shut down a bar because of non-adherence to the guidelines.

Dr. Fong has also confirmed that they are in the process of drawing up guidelines to distinguish a nightclub from a tavern.

The Acting Permanent Secretary has also confirmed that under the Blue Lanes initiative, 66 yachts have been approved, with more yachts and superyachts on the way.

He says to ensure superyachts can function properly, they are allowing for crew changes which means crew are being flown in to Fiji to join superyachts, allowing these vessels to be properly run and maintained for months at sea in Fiji.

Meanwhile, travellers from New Zealand and Australia will now need to clear a negative COVID test, spend 14 days of quarantine in a Fijian government quarantine facility and then be allowed to go to specially designated resorts to begin their Bula Bubble vacation through VIP lanes.

It was previously announced that travellers from Australia and New Zealand would be allowed to spend 14 days of quarantine in their home country, clear a negative COVID test and arrive in Fiji.

Dr. Fong says the Australian and New Zealand governments cannot certify home quarantine for potential travellers to Fiji due to new outbreaks of COVID-19 in their communities.

He has also confirmed that Fiji has allowed diplomats to return to Fiji on a case-by-case basis and is also selectively granting new permits on a case-by-case basis for individuals who possess specialised skills that aid Fiji’s COVID-safe economic recovery.

Dr. Fong says existing and new permit holders must apply to the Permanent Secretary for Immigration to enter Fiji and all applications for returning diplomats and permit holders are subject to vetting by the Ministry of Health.