Domestic repatriation
THERE’S a ray of hope from our PM after being stranded on Viti Levu since April. Domestic repatriation made easier with 7 days home quarantine only. Yayy! We shed a few tears hoping to see our aging sickly parents finally after so many months, but what we didn’t know was the no ending, non-satisfying protocols and procedures set up by the ministry. Shipping companies are advertising that all you need is a negative COVID-19 result to travel. This is not true. Everyone needs a pass which isn’t going to be given unless you get tired, frustrated and on the verge of losing your mind because you have been made to run around and wait for all results and even a reference number from MCTTT. Some say call MCTTT for the number, but no one picks up. Then you go to their office and wait for two hours even if you are the first person in line and had applied before. Then the securities tell you to go get a COVID-19 test and take the results to DO’s office in Nausori. But then you hear Knollys St also has some senior officer providing passes, so you are confused where to go and what information is correct.
Next you get your COVID-19 test done where they tell you processing takes 24 hours, but then you don’t get the result on time because your sample was taken after 11am. Shouldn’t someone just let us know about this. The ministry says to travel within 72 hours of getting COVID-19 test. If processing takes 48hrs because your sample was taken after 11am then when are we expected to apply for a pass? When is it going to be approved? When are we going to buy tickets? We don’t even know if there are seats available. Then if you don’t make it within 72 hours, your test becomes invalid. The ministry is setting up very good protocols to ensure people’s safety, but they don’t know what’s happening at grassroots level. The chain of communication gets disrupted somewhere and people working for the ministry don’t exactly know what the actual protocols and procedures are.
Every government worker gives different directives. Whom are we supposed to follow? It’s like you’re making us run for even a breath of air. We are tired and frustrated.
Why can’t even the easiest of the protocols be practised effectively for the betterment of the stranded citizens. Why do we have to suffer like this? We are helpless, have nowhere to go looking for answers. Please don’t make us, the poor citizens, run for everything being offered by the Government. Well I have lost, I give up. I don’t want to go home anymore. Let my parents live with memories only,.”
DEVNEET PRASAD Suva