Let’s not drop our guard during this festive season

If we are all thinking safety first and acting on it we can have an accident free Christmas and a wonderful time for the rest of the festive season.

As we head out for our holidays during this festive season let’s not lower our guard to stay safe - from COVID-19, accidents and tragedies. It’s dubbed the silly season because of people’s tendency to disregard rules and safety tips.

Since the reopening of our international border, our economic activities have roared back to life. Since the reopening of our international border, our economic activities have roared back to life.

While it is a positive sign, what is worrying is the increasing number of people walking in public without a mask or wearing one incorrectly. Whichever way it is unsafe and a health risk.

They should be reminded that mask wearing is still compulsory. Although the borders are now open and there is free movement the safety protocols are still in force. They include the two metre distancing rule and hand washing.

There is a good reason why these safety measures have not been removed. It has been proved that they minimise the risks of spreading the virus in the community.

Instead of aiding and abetting the spread of the killer virus, let’s spread the Christmas joy by following the health mandate and keeping people safe.

The best Christmas cheer you can share with people is to stay on the safety zone.

The wearing of masks in busy shopping centres and streets is a must and law enforcement officers must be vigilant and enforce the law.

The other issue of concern is keeping safe on our roads. In recent weeks we have seen the unnecessary loss of lives due to tragic traffic accidents. There are rules that are sacrosanct.

No driver should be under the influence of drugs, alcohol, yaqona and drive. That’s the recipe for tragedy and disaster.

If you do, please don’t drive and give the wheel to someone else who is sober.

Fatigue, exhaustion and feeling sleepy because you have not had a good and proper sleep is one of the major causes of accidents too. So if you are driving, rest up and have a good sleep,.

The most common cause of accidents is over speeding. We must respect the speed limit zones particularly in and near all residential areas.

If we are all thinking safety first and acting on it we can have an accident free Christmas and a wonderful time for the rest of the festive season.

NEMANI DELAIBATIKI

Feedback: nemani.delaibatiki@fijisun.com.fj