The new norm

AS we count down the hours to a weekend brimming with sporting events, we should take time off to reflect on how scenarios have changed. On this day last year, we were actually talking about the number of people being caught breaching the curfew law.

At the time, Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho had raised the issue of children’s movements being monitored by their parents and guardians.

He made the comments in the wake of juveniles being arrested for breaching COVID-19 restrictions. This was a great concern for the Police Force.

Nine juveniles were arrested that week for both curfew and sport breaches.

The juveniles included a 15 and 16-year-old who were found walking around in Delaivalelevu after curfew hours.

Two 17-year olds were arrested with others for playing basketball along Padam Lala Rd in Namadi Heights, Suva.

In Vatuwaqa, five youths were arrested for playing touch rugby.

Thirty two people were arrested that week for breaching COVID-19 restrictions.

We raised our concern about the fact that youngsters were being caught breaching set rules.

The challenge was on parents and guardians to be vigilant. It is interesting when you compare the scenarios to now.

Think about it!

How times have changed!

Not too long ago we had a curfew. We had major restrictions on what we could do in public places. Times were actually difficult and very different. We spoke about taking ownership of the issues raised by the Police Commissioner.

Our challenge then was trying to instill a sense of awareness and appreciation of the dangers of COVID-19.

That same week, the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama warned that we had to be vigilant and accept that there may be hidden COVID-19 symptom-less cases going undetected among our communities and “we must remain diligent as ever”.

In the face of that was our willingness to adhere to rules designed to keep us safe.

The curfew was in place for a reason. Physical distancing rules were important for us all.

As much as we wanted things to return to normal quickly, it clearly wasn’t that easy to do so.

Now, a year on, we are finally free to do so many things we could not do at the time.

We are reminded though about our responsibility to ensure we maintain the status quo.

That will mean adhering to expert health advice. It will mean doing what must be done to ensure our borders remain open.

In fact we know what must be done.

We know the rules.

We are living the new normal!

Our challenge is to be vigilant.

The virus is still around us. Good advice is out there. Stay well and stay safe!