Gavoka wants authorities to review protocols immediately to protect frontline workers

SODELPA Leader Viliame Gavoka is calling on authorities to review protocols immediately to protect frontline workers and the health of the public.

He says while they appreciate the effort, the new cases raise questions with respect to the monitoring of frontline workers at different quarantine facilities.

Gavoka adds they note that the 53-year-old woman who is the latest COVID-19 patient interacted with the soldier who earlier contracted the virus at a quarantine facility.

The SODELPA Leader says the major concern is that workers at quarantine facilities can return to their homes and enter the public space soon after completion of their daily shift.

He adds it defeats the purpose of instituting mandatory quarantine for all overseas arrivals when frontline workers that deal with them can leave the facility and enter the public space.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says their investigation has revealed that the woman had an interaction with the soldier when he showed up early to his room as it was being cleaned.

He says protocol dictates that overlap should not have happened, that is why the woman was not tested before re-entering the public.

The Prime Minister says they will have to wait and see what further investigations reveal.

He says what is clear is that this breach in protocol cannot be repeated.

Bainimarama adds in the meantime, they are confident that their system of border quarantine can function to the high degree it has over the past year.