Health Ministry announces new restrictions and guidelines on sea travel between Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and maritime islands

Health Ministry announces new restrictions and guidelines on sea travel between Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and maritime islands

By Rashika Kumar
Tuesday 04/01/2022
[Image: File Photo]

The Ministry of Health has announced new restrictions and guidelines on sea travel between Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and the maritime islands effective from today due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the Northern division and a number of islands in the Eastern division.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says in light of the high prevalence of COVID-19 in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, travellers on boats between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu will not require pre-departure testing before travelling.

He says however, strict adherence to personal COVID safe measures during the travel should be maintained such as mandatory masking, personal hand gel for hand hygiene and ships to ensure that soap is available throughout the trip, careFIJI app is on and passengers are fully vaccinated with 2 or more doses.

Dr. Fong adds Ministry officials will be closely monitoring the implementation of the new travel protocol.

He further says travellers on boats from Viti Levu to Eastern division maritime islands that are currently experiencing disease outbreaks will be restricted to travellers for essential services only.

These include teachers, nurses, Government staff on official trips, workers and their families who are getting posted or transferred to the islands and permanent island residents who came to Viti Levu for the holidays and are returning to their homes without the need to come back to Viti Levu in the immediate future.

The Permanent Secretary says this measure is to limit unnecessary population movement into the islands as the Ministry is now facing challenges in the medical evacuation of COVID cases to the main hospitals in Viti Levu as the operations of the contracted medevac providers are also affected by the current outbreak.

Travellers on boats from the Eastern division islands to Viti Levu who have been identified as positive cases or close contacts of cases will be required to complete 10 days of isolation in their homes on the islands, be symptoms free and with no pre-departure testing required before they are allowed to board the boat back to Viti Levu.

Dr. Fong says their team on the islands will ensure that these amended protocols are adhered to to protect the travelling population as well as the limited health care capacity on these islands.

He adds medical teams and supplies are being set up and being deployed to maritime islands communities reporting a surge in positive cases.

FEATURE NEWS
LATEST NEWS
Tanoa Hotel Group and NZ students plant 600 mangroves at Taiperia, Lautoka
To combat the ongoing effects of climate change and the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the Tanoa Hotel Group and 16 ...
123 days ago

Ovalau family to celebrate Easter reminiscing the hard work and dedication of their late son
The Boleilovoni family will have a celebration this Easter at their home in Lovoni Village, Ovalau, celebrating their late son Joseph Rymell ...
123 days ago

Expect a rainy Easter weekend as a flash flood alert and heavy rain warning in force for Fiji
People need to be prepared for a wet Easter weekend as a flash flood alert is still in force for all low-lying and flash flood-prone areas of Viti ...
123 days ago

Flash flood alert for Viti Levu and Vanua Levu
Please be prepared as a flash flood alert is now in force for all low lying and flash flood prone areas of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. A heavy rain ...
123 days ago

U.S Ambassador calls out China on trying to undermine its bilateral relationship with Fiji
It's puzzling that any country purporting to be a friend to Fiji would try to publicly undermine Fiji’s bilateral relationship with one of its ...
123 days ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Top Interventional Cardiologist Dr Kapadia on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on health services in the country. The former Marist Brothers Primary and High School student who has been practising medicine ...
134 days ago

Supervisor of Elections on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The interview focus on preparations for the 2026 general elections, voter related issues, electoral laws, the 2022 glitch and the municipal council ...
134 days ago

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Coach, Glen Jackson on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Coach, Glen Jackson appeared on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan from the Drua base in Nadi. Coming off ...
138 days ago

TOP