Inquiry into slipup needed to allay fears of laxity on the frontline

The release of a couple after only eight days into quarantine has come as a shock to many people. The public reaction is understandable when we have three confirmed cases of COVID-19 from Fijians arriving at the border from overseas.

Many of us have sacrificed our livelihoods to keep our country safe from the spread of the killer virus. We cannot afford to squander the gains we have made through complacency.

The Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete has made it clear that the 28-day quarantine for returning Fijians and visitors is mandatory with no exception.

It is alleged that the ministry had granted a special dispensation for the couple to visit their physicallychallenged child.

If that is true then it is unfortunate and the officer or officers involved should be taken to task.

If the couple slipped away on their own accord without following the protocols they need to be held accountable.

Whatever happened there should be an immediate inquiry to ascertain who was culpable and solutions should be instituted to make sure it does not happen again.

Earlier during this crisis, rules were violated and those responsible were dealt with. But people are still violating the curfew.

This newest case is even more serious because it happened on the frontline, our first defence against COVID-19.

Was it simple laxity or complacency? Or is the crisis beginning to take its toll on frontline staff who have worked around the clock to keep us safe?

The stress of responsibility over crisis management showed on new acting Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong and Dr Aalisha Sahukhan, the head of Health Protection at the Ministry of Health and Medical Services during their press conference the other day.

Let’s recognise the magnificent work done by the ministry. This new incident should not take away its excellent record. But the ministry should ensure that it does not happen again.

Some are calling for the border to be closed for returning Fijians to avoid infection rate increasing.

Fiji cannot stop its citizens from coming home. It is a signatory of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights.

It is a violation of human rights international law for a country to deny the right of return of their citizens like Samoa did. That is a principle enshrined in UN human rights, and is a basic international human right.

Let’s look at this new case in its proper perspective.