SHOULD FIJI OPEN ITS BORDERS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL?
WITH TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, FIJI SUN TOOK TO THE STREETS TO GET PEOPLE’S OPINION ON WHETHER IT WAS WISE FOR FIJI TO OPEN ITS BORDERS.
Naushad Ali, Mulomulo, Nadi.
My business only goes well with tourists coming into the country so I think Fiji should open its borders for international travel. The only condition that needs to be set is that people should be tested first for coronavirus before coming in and going out of the country.
Nikhil Shabneel,Tavakubu, Lautoka.
No, because while our cases for COVID-19 is low, our borders should remain closed. This is only for the benefit and safety of everyone else.
Pita Matakitoga, Labasa.
No, Fiji should not open the borders yet. The risk of second wave pandemic could cost a lot more to what we have already lost economically..
Pia Prasad, Amy Street, Suva.
No, the borders should not open because the numbers of COVID-19 cases will increase. Also, Fiji should keep territory locked maybe till late September or October for tourists.
Sotia Tuapate, Savunawai, Nadi.
I think the best condition is what the Government is currently doing to self-quarantine all passengers coming in and Fiji should open its borders for international travel.
Kamlesh Chandra, Waiyavi, Lautoka.
Yes, we should open our borders again for international travel because so many people in the tourism industry are without jobs, some of them are bread winners of their families. However, if the borders open the COVID-19 rules of social distancing and having less than 20 people for social gatherings should remain.
Irfan Ali, Labasa.
No, Safety comes first. We should not open the borders because it will contribute to the total collapse of our economy. If the borders will be opened then it is an open invitation for the deadly virus that has already put many lives at risk.
Vinitesh Kumar, Cunningham, Suva.
No, it should remain closed for the betterment of the safety of Fijians because we have no idea who is coming to Fiji or is he/she coming with the virus.
Ashneel Sharma, Nadi.
I am working for a tourist store in Nadi and we have been affected by the international travel ban. Fiji should open its borders again for international travel so tourists can come in. The Government should continue with the test and self quarantine of passengers coming into the country.
Ivamere Radini, Field 40, Lautoka .
No, at the moment it should remain closed because of our safety. We still have three people who are still down with the virus so let us remain closed for now and maybe if things get better in the future then borders should open.
Dominiko Namoce, Labasa.
No, The world is still recovering from the deadly virus, it is not safe to put the lives of Fijians at risk by opening the international borders.
Akshay Kumar, Suva.
Fiji should not open any international traveling as of now since couple of countries are on level two of coronavirus which shows improvement, but people are forgetting that there is no cure and opening borders means allowing virus to spread in Fiji.
Jope Vunigasau, Votualevu, Nadi.
It is no use if Fiji opens its borders to international travel because other countries have not lifted their travel ban. I think unless they open their borders we need to do it also. The condition set by the Government for 14 days quarantine; I think we should continue with that if international borders are open.
Loata Yalobula, Town area, Lautoka.
Yes, A lot of people and even some of my family members, who are working in the tourism, have been without jobs for so long, they need to feed their families, it is hard.
But if the borders open, the strict restrictions should still be in place.
Ratu Suliasi Tuisawau, Raiwai, Suva.
It should remain closed. I guess the best strategic move to do from now is to ensure that the virus is being totally eradicated before there are any decisions whatsoever about the reopening of our borders.
Zen Singh, Suva.
Yes, we should open it because jobs are getting affected and Fiji citizens entering Fiji should be quarantined 24 days in Blackrock Camp and be strictly monitored.
Losalini Vuiloqa, Sikituru, Nadi.
At the moment, I think we should only open our borders to countries that have zero cases of COVID-19 pandemic and that may be a good condition to keep us safe.
Ashika Lata, Luvu seaside, Lautoka .
I think the borders should remain closed. We are still at a high risk of getting the virus, we are a small country, everyone needs to feel safe.
Neomai Bole, Labasa.
Fiji should open its borders for flights only and not for cruise liners. That is one way we can control people coming in.
It should only be opened to Australia and New Zealand. People coming into the country should quarantine themselves from their own country for 14 days before their travel date to come to Fiji.
Muzammil Ali, Vatuwaqa, Suva.
Yes, international flights should be resumed because there are Fiji nationals in other countries who are helpless and want to be back in Fiji as soon as possible. They should be tested for any diseases and kept a few days under observation.