Fiji Sun took the streets yesterday to find out what people thought about Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s announcement on continuing with measures put in place to curb any further outbreak of COVID-19.
Majority of the people interviewed at the four centres spoke in favour of the curfew and other measures such as keeping nightclubs, gyms, swimming pools shut and limiting social gathering to less than 20 people.
As we also reported yesterday, it would have been easier to go back to ‘normal’ and it would have been a very tempting option for Government, but some days tough decisions need to be made.
It is great that many people have shown support for keeping such measures in place. Our social media platforms have seen a flood of positive comments, lauding Prime Minister Bainimarama for this decision. Many other countries have taken this route. New Zealand has been very cautious in lifting some of its restrictions, which were very stringent compared to our measures. India has extended its complete lockdown and those countries who are still divided over what steps need to be taken have seen death tolls related to COVID-19 soar.
In Fiji, keeping curfew in place has been the most popular ‘restriction’ put in place by Government. Majority of those who took part in our street poll were pleased that the curfew hours were still in place. There have been many who have called for the curfew to be in place till the end of the year, but that is a bridge which will be crossed when we get there.
Meanwhile, we can rest easy that right steps are being taken for the benefit of all Fijians.
AS PRIME MINISTER VOREQE BAINIMARAMA ANNOUNCED WHY THE CURFEW HOURS AND COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS REMAIN, THE FIJI SUN TOOK TO THE STREETS IN THE WEST, NORTH AND CENTRAL DIVISIONS TO GET THE PUBLIC’S THOUGHTS. THERE WAS STRONG SUPPORT FOR KEEPING THE CURFEW. Reporting by Mereleki Nai, Renu Radhika, Kelera Sovasiga and Nicolette Chambers
Jyoti Pratibha
Jane Khan, Natabua, Lautoka.
It is good. This is because in the past I know that a few people will go around and break into homes when the curfew hour wasn’t in place because they felt that they could do anything. Now, they have a certain time to go home. By 10pm, everyone is at home and only a handful of people are still breaking the curfew.
Edwina Biyau, Tomuka, Lautoka.
Personally, I think the curfew hour is good for everyone. My reason is that it is for the safety of all people. Especially in the Tomuka area. People normally roam around at night and make a lot of noise, but with the curfew in place the residents are home by 10pm with their families indoors.
Vikash Chand, Vuda, Lautoka.
This is good. The curfew hour should remain because if the curfew hour is lifted more stealing will start because most people have lost their jobs. Those who break the curfew hours should be punished no matter what profession they belong to. Having a gathering with 20 people or less should remain too.
Boby Chand, Tamavua, Suva
I believe the curfew times should be lifted since everything is getting back to normal. We should also be considerate of vendors who are coming into the city from the interior to sell their produce. There is less time for them to sell their produce and make enough money for their family needs.
Kelevi Varasiko, Tacirua, Suva
It is a good idea that the curfew is continuing. These measures are not only preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus but is also reducing the robbery count. We are going through challenging times now and for that we should continue to work together against the spread of this virus.
I think on one side of the curfew, it is good because of our safety, but on the other hand I think of people who knock off from work at 11pm or 12 midnight. It is hard for them to make their way home. My brother is a security guard and he would sleep at his workplace when he knocks off work because it is after curfew hours.
It is a good idea that the curfew remains. People will be at their homes on time. We have all adjusted with the timing and it should continue in the coming days until everything gets well. It is also a sign that Government is trying its best to keep people safe during these times.
Sam Narayan, Nakama, Labasa .
I think the curfew should remain in effect because many people have adapted to the time. People can also be at home and spend time with their families. This means Government is trying to keep the people secure and safe during these trying times.
Laisa Kalounicake, Tuatua, Labasa.
I think Government made a wise decision not to lift the curfew. People will be at their homes before 10 and can spend time with family. Fiji is doing well as the COVID-19 patients are recovering. Government should continue the curfew and not lift it any time soon.
Junior Justin, Field 40, Lautoka.
The curfew hour should remain. 10pm to 5am is the best time because many robberies were taking place before, but with the curfew hours in place it has allowed people to stay home and number of robberies have dropped.
Parveen Kumar, Saweni, Lautoka .
I think the idea of keeping the curfew is good. It is for the benefit of everyone because there was a lot of stealing happening before the restrictions. The restrictions set by Government should remain so that we can all be safe.
Alesi Rogicibau, Makoi, Suva
Government should still continue this curfew because it has allowed families to spend more quality time together prior to the pandemic. People just need to be extra careful with whom they are dealing with in their everyday life.
Government has done a marvelous job as far as the safety of all Fijians is concerned. But I think it is time to lift the 10pm to 5am curfew because people want to operate their businesses as normal. They need money for their families to survive.
Pushpa Wati, Wailevu, Labasa.
It is good to see that Government has not lifted the curfew. Even though COVID-19 patients are recovering that doesn’t mean we all are safe. I think it is a good decision taken. And we have all adapted to the time.
Mustan Bi, Vatuwaqa, Suva
It is a good idea that the curfew stays. It’s a way of preventing night robberies and families are able to spend more time with their families. I think the current precautionary measures are good enough to help us survive this pandemic.
I think the 10pm to 5am curfew implemented by the Government is good. We have seen that there were less criminal acts like burglary in our community because people are restricted to move around at night.
Ela Rokobiko, Vunibau Village, Serua
The curfew should be removed. I think people are aware of the risks and they will do the right thing by taking all the extra measures to fight this pandemic. Places like the church should be opened.
The 10pm to 5am curfew is important to all of us because in one way it keeps us safe from this COVID-19 pandemic. I think this is the best restriction that the Government is doing.
We are all used to the curfew hours now. I think the 10pm to 5am still needs to be in place until there are no more cases of coronavirus in the country.
Shajir Hussain, Batinikama, Tuatua, Labasa.
I am happy with Government’s decision. It is a sign that we are doing our part. We have adjusted with the curfew times and it should continue..