New case Of COVID-19 But we are In safe hands
We should not rule out the possibility of more COVID-19 cases via returning Fijians. The new case confirmed by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday should not come as a surprise.
New Zealand is going through this experience . From a COVID-19 free status, its confirmed cases have jumped to 18. All the cases are not community transmissions. They are from Kiwis arriving back in New Zealand from countries where the virus is still infecting and killing people. When the first two cases were reported in NZ there was a public outcry on how the two women were not tested when they arrived at the border.
This has not happened here with this new case. It shows our border security and frontline surveillance are robust.
Like New Zealand, we will not turn away our own citizens from the border. But when they arrive, they must go through all the necessary tests.
This new case is in safe hands and it is unlikely it will slip into the community.
Our capacity to handle this case with ease demonstrates our maturity and experience in dealing with a major health threat.
Mr Bainimarama’s announcement of the new case was a brief statement, the shortest since his regular updates on COVID-19. It underscores our confidence in dealing with this virus.
Fijians should now be well versed with maintaining hygiene standards and precautions against COVID-19. We have been well briefed by Mr Bainimarama. We should continue to respect the restrictions and the precautions.
When we do we will prevent the second wave.