Recovery mode
With Fiji nearing 90 per cent vaccination of the targeted adult population, the Head of Government expressed gratitude to the Fijians who have chosen the protection that vaccines offer.
“We did not regain the privilege of returning to our churches, temples and mosques simply because we wanted it or even demanded it. We earned it through sacrifice,” Prime Minister Bainimarama said.
“Fiji’s streets were never filled with maskless protestors calling for the premature rollback of health restrictions.
“We returned to our houses of worship, to our places of work, to our businesses and into the arms of our friends and family the right way: By becoming one of the fastest-vaccinated countries in the world. And we should be proud to have made that journey together with compassion, patience, and vigilance.”
Prime Minister Bainimarama cautioned that he was not rolling out the victory banner nor were any of the restrictions relaxed irreversible but there were several measures that can be relaxed.
Therefore, from October 10, 2021:
- The curfew hours moved from 11 pm until 4 am
- Nearly all businesses, workplaces including public transportation can operate at 80 per cent capacity to children and to fully vaccinated adults. Exceptions to this relaxation are taverns, bars, and gaming venues
- All venues must use the new VAX-Check tool to verify the vaccine status of their patrons –– it’s easy and free.
- Anyone who is fully vaccinated can now travel to Vanua Levu by boat or by air with transport companies that are COVID-safe compliant –– such as Fiji Link. Travellers must register a negative COVID-19 test result on Rapid COVID-19 Test before travel. Upon arrival, they must immediately enter home quarantine for seven days. Travel to the other islands including the outer islands will still be maintained under the current protocols and will be subject to increased rates of vaccination.
- Fijians can start playing contact sports again, including rugby, netball, football, basketball, and cricket.
- There will be no restrictions on the size of outdoor gatherings- funerals, weddings, birthdays and other events can be held outdoors without restrictions on the numbers. However, indoor venues can only operate at 80 per cent capacity, and everyone at the event must be fully-vaccinated. Mask-wearing is a must in all indoor public spaces and in crowded outdoor spaces.
- Mask mandate will continue for all indoor public venues, on public transportation, and in crowded public settings -- like markets, shopping malls, and bus stands, and the police remain empowered to issue spot fines to rule-breakers. Businesses that poorly enforce mask-wearing will be fined or shut down.
- In all other settings outside homes, maskwearing has been strongly encouraged.
But it won’t be required to wear a mask if you’re walking the seawall, going for a jog or walk to exercise, or having a picnic on the beach—and it’s not required for a gathering in homes.
On top of the COVID-safe measures, Prime Minister Bainimarama has encouraged COVID-safe habits like doing away with unsafe habits such as “sharing the same bowl of grog or passing around the same cigarette butt should not happen”.