Facing the Reality of the New Normal

As we continue to gradually relax restrictions we are facing the reality of the new normal.

The fact is life will never be the same again. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has made it clear that measures that constitute the core of the Government’s strategy to fight COVID-19 will remain.

With the lifting of the lockdown in selected areas, many local businesses have reopened. The road to recovery is likely to be a long and arduous journey. Mr Bainimarama has been cautious in saying that we can never underestimate this killer virus. While no one has died here from it, the tragic deaths of thousands in other countries like the United States, Italy, Spain, and Britain to name a few, are a grim reminder of the human and economic loss and suffering that the virus has inflicted across the globe.

Closer to home, our neighbour and development partner New Zealand has allocated a $50 billion COVID-19 recovery Budget.

We do not have that kind of money to address our economic woes as a result of this crisis. So we have to be prudent in how we address the challenges of kickstarting the economy.

Returning to pre-COVID-19 now is risky based on what we are learning from the experience of the other countries. Under our circumstances, we have done an excellent job in containing COVID-19 and ensuring that no one has died from it so far.

But the war is not over yet. Mr Bainimarama acknowledged that in his Friday statement.

So we still have to tread carefully and ensure we do not lose the gains we have made.

The threat of a second wave still hangs over our heads and we need to treat it seriously.

Mr Bainimarama agrees with this assessment which is obviously based on scientific and professional research and experience. While tourism is still down and affects other secondary industries, other sectors of the economy should be up and running now.

The border closure has had a major negative impact on the economy and it will continue to do so until the restriction is lifted.

Even when the border opens, incoming travellers are likely to be screened for COVID-19 or expected to be carrying documents certifying they are COVID-19 free from their respective countries.

There are certain rules that are expected to remain longer than what some people had hoped for.

They are there for our safety and we must respect them. They include:

Curfew from 10pm until 5am. Breaches still continue and they are a worry;

Social gatherings must be limited to 20 people or fewer;

Houses of worship, gyms, nightclubs, cinemas and swimming pools remain closed;

No contact sports in schools until June 12;

Existing quarantine protocols will remain for visitors and Fijians returning from overseas;

Returning Fijians would go into 14 days of quarantine in Government-funded facilities

After they test negative for the virus, they go into 14 days of self quarantine at home; and

Physical distancing, regular handwashing, no mass gathering, staying at home, wearing of masks when sick, no sharing and keeping a clean environment will be part of our new way of life.

They have helped us stay safe from COVID-19 so far and it would be foolish to stop now.

There is so much at stake that we cannot afford to take them lightly or ignore them.

Mr Bainimarama says the right path is not always easy. We must be patient and trust the experts who are chartering the way forward for us.

We do not want to take rash decisions that we will live to regret later.