Travellers to provide for own food needs in quarantine

FAMILIES in Bua whose loved ones have been allowed to return from Viti Levu will have to provide food for the duration of their quarantine.

Movement to Vanua Levu starts next week, beginning with those returning to Bua, followed by Cakaudrove then Macuata.

Bua provincial administrator (PA) Peni Naqasevanua said the food should be dropped off at the designated borders in the three provinces.

He made this known during a talanoa session with villagers of Cogea in Wainunu, Bua yesterday.

Mr Naqasevanua said Solevu Primary School would be used as the quarantine centre for Bua, for the 12 confirmed returnees. He said 27 people were granted permission to return to their villages but after they were told of the quarantine period, many changed their minds which resulted in the final list of 12.

He said the food dropped off by family members would be picked up by officials chosen to work at the quarantine centre.

Mr Naqasevanua told villagers no visitors would be allowed to the quarantine centre.

He said the 12 would only be allowed to return home after they tested negative for COVID-19 and were cleared by medical officials.

The PA said if a returnee tested positive while in quarantine, isolation centres had been prepared at Waibinabuna in Lekutu, Setura and Solevu.

Mr Naqasevanua said military and police officers ordered the captain of a boat carrying passengers who had travelled from Mana Island on their way to Bua to anchor outside Bua waters last week.

He said the boat tried to cross to Vanua Levu in the morning after clearance was given by authorities in the West.

Mr Naqasevanua said he alerted police and reiterated that only Commissioner Northern Uraia Rainima could give clearance after consultation with health officials.

He said police and military personnel were alerted and the boat would not be allowed into Bua until cleared.