District reps support close down in villages
Village communities within islands of the Lomaiviti Group have introduced their own shut down measures as a precautionary against COVID-19. All travel plans to and within the province in the Eastern Division have been put on hold during this period where interisland travel restrictions have been imposed by authorities.
The representative of Mudu district in Koro, Jale Tawake, said they fully supported the lockdown.
He said the eight villages in the district – Mudu, Tuatua, Naqaidamu, Sinuvaca, Nasau, Nacamaki, Nakodu and Namacu would not be affected.
“In terms of food security, all these villages tasked to monitor the situation.” He said the same applied to the district of Cawa and its six villages of Nabasovi, Vatulele, Nabuna, Tavua, Navaga and Kade. The upper Lomaiviti (Lomaiviti-e-cake) group has Gau, Batiki and Nairai.
Batiki district representative Tevita Vakatale said they were running out of sugar, flour and rice.
“This will not affect us much because we can depend on crops in their farms and resources from the sea.
Gau, Sawaieke district representative, Kelepi Delai Mataitoga, said during this period visitors were not allowed into the eight villages in the district: Sawaieke, Somosomo, Nawaikama, Nukuloa, Levukaigau, Lovu, Vadravadra and Yadua. “Visitors must have a valid reason and inform the village headman who will guide them,” Mr Mataitoga said.
“House visits and all social gatherings are banned.
“As for the sick they are treated by the village nurse. While serious cases were examined by the doctor.”
For the church services on Monday, Friday and Sunday they had been advised to have family service at home with other families not exceeding 20 people.
For Gau, Vanuaso district, spokesman Viliame Nasave, said the villages of Vanuaso, Lekanai, Nacavanadi, Malawai and Lamiti were compliant with all restrictions put in place by authorities.
These measures introduced by villagers elders were confirmed by Ministry of the iTaukei Affairs spokesman Alipate Natoba. Percy