COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji
From July 2020 to April 2021, Fiji only recorded cases from managed quarantine facilities at the border as repatriation flights brought stranded citizens back home.
This has allowed the country to relax its COVID-19 restrictions to boost its economic recovery however on 19 April 2021, Fiji confirmed its first community case as a result of a breach in protocol.
[3] In response, the township of Nadi and the city of Lautoka went into a lockdown and previous health restrictions were re-imposed all over the country with the national curfew restored.
As local transmission cases soared exacerbated by the Delta variant, the Government sealed off the main island of Viti Levu establishing Suva, Lautoka, Nadi, Nausori, Rakiraki and Lami as containment areas which meant that over 70% of the population was now in lockdown.
The country's economy is expected to contract after decades of economic growth due to the pandemic's impact on tourism, retail, manufacturing and trade.
[5] On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, who had initially come to the attention of the WHO on 31 December 2019.
[22] In August 2021, the number of daily cases dropped as a result of the Ministry of Health's decision to suspend its contact tracing efforts and focus instead on monitoring patients at higher risk.
From 28 February, all cruise ships entering Fiji have been required to make first berths at ports in Suva and Lautoka, where passengers undergo medical and travel history checks.
[60] In response to four community transmissions reported on 25 April, the Government established Suva, Nausori and Lami as containment areas with restricted movement in place for two weeks.
[65] As cases continue to mount, the Fiji Police Force announced on 6 July that they would be arresting individuals who fail to wear a mask in a public place within containment zones.
[71] In response to the one new case confirmed in Nabouwalu Vanua Levu on August 14, the Ministry of Health initiated an area of restricted movement for 14 days.
[86] On 4 September, the Fijian Government announced that only fully vaccinated travellers will be allowed to enter the country when borders are expected to reopen in November 2021.
[88] On 8 September, the village of Yaqeta in Yasawa was placed on high alert after a person who drowned a week prior tested positive for COVID-19.
[93] On 10 October, Director-General Dr James Fong confirmed that the Health Ministry would now only monitor for COVID-19 transmission and intervene when disease indicators cross beyond acceptable levels.
[98] That same day, Bainamarama announced that fully vaccinated Fijians can travel to Vanua Levu by boat, air or COVID-19 compliant transport companies such as Fiji Link.
[99] [100] On 1 November, schools reopened for Years 12 and 13 students subject to COVID-Safe protocols, following an extended six and a half month break.
[102] On 8 November, the Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong confirmed that frontliners and Fijians with comorbid issues who were the first to receive the COVID-19 jabs will be prioritized for booster shots.
Dr Fong indicated that the Fijian Government may reintroduce earlier curfews, restrictions on gatherings, and expanding mask mandates to combat a rise in community cases.
[112] On 2 January, the Health Ministry's Permanent Secretary Dr Fong confirmed that the Government would be avoiding "population blanket" measures such as lockdowns to combat the third wave of COVID-19.
Since lockdowns had adversely impacted the community, Fond stated that the Government would be pursuing "individual COVID safety measures" such as vaccination, masking, physical distancing, avoiding crowds and hand hygiene.
[113] That same day, Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai confirmed that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces would be continuing to support the Health Ministry's efforts to combat COVID-19.
[117] That same day, the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport (MCTTT) introduced a series of new fines in response to the Omicron variant spreading throughout the country.
[118] On 19 January, Dr Fong stated that non-compliance with "COVID-safe" measures in populated areas and negligence with abiding by social gathering limits was contributing to a nationwide surge in COVID-19 cases.
[119] On 7 February, the Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum confirmed that polymerase chain reaction testing would no longer be require to enter Fiji.
[120] On 12 February, the Health Minister Ifereimi Waqainabete confirmed that unvaccinated individuals were still exempted from entering several public spaces including places of worship, sporting venues, and high-risk businesses.
[141] On 18 March, the Reserve Bank of Fiji reduced its overnight policy rate (OPR)[b] and predicted the domestic economy to fall into a recession after decades of economic growth.
[145][143][150] On 10 October 2020, the International Labour Organization and the Asian Development Bank issued a report stating that the youth unemployment rate is set to increase as high as 18 percent.
[161] On 6 December 2020 when two sailors from a cargo ship tested positive for COVID-19, unverified claims on social media stated that there would be a lockdown in Suva specifically in the Queen Elizabeth Barracks.
[163] During the COVID-19 pandemic, academic Tarisi Vunidilo created the social media platform Talanoa with Dr T to enable connection between Fiji's primary school children and their heritage.
In response, the Education Minister Premila Kumar expressed disappointment in the flouting of mask requirements and confirmed that she was working with divisional and district officers to address the issue.
