Fiji: Authorities tighten restrictions for Nadi and Lautoka as of April 19 due to COVID-19 concerns

Event

Authorities are enforcing movement restrictions for Greater Nadi and Lautoka as of April 19 due to COVID-19 concerns. Officials are permitting limited movement within the containment area. Residents can continue to leave home for critical reasons, such as purchasing food, banking, or attending work. Most businesses can resume operations; factories and retail outlets must adhere to COVID-19 distancing measures for employees and customers. Customer-facing companies must limit capacity to 50 percent. So-called high-risk businesses, such as theaters, gyms, and bars, must remain closed until at least May 3. Restaurants can only operate for delivery and takeaway services.

The government has also banned travel to and from the affected area and erected checkpoints to monitor traffic. However, residents can return home through early April 20 but must then abide by lockdown orders. Officials will also allow transit through the containment area for flights departing Nadi International Airport (NAN).

Officials will also tighten restrictions nationwide until at least May 3. Religious and other public gatherings are banned. Businesses must enforce contact tracing, either by requiring patrons to use the government's careFIJi mobile application or collecting information manually. All schools will close for three weeks. A 23:00-04:00 curfew remains in effect; officers are monitoring roads during the curfew and will send home people who are without valid reasons, such as work or emergency purposes. Businesses with shift workers during curfew hours must provide employees with a letter on their work requirements and hours and an official contact number for verification. People who breach regulations could face fines or imprisonment. Inter-island transport has resumed, and Fiji Link (FJ) is offering limited domestic flights.

Travel Restrictions
Most international commercial flights remain suspended. Repatriation flights are occurring, but authorities will cap entrance numbers for visitors until the situation stabilizes. Officials require allowed passengers to undergo a reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure. Returning residents must quarantine for 14 days, download the careFiji app, and undergo COVID-19 testing after arrival and on day 12 of quarantine. The government is also requiring passengers that are not repatriating to pay for quarantine and health monitoring costs, with various exceptions. While charges for quarantine can vary, authorities indicate the average expense is FJD 2,200 (USD 1,085), and health-related expenses are FJD 690 (USD 340). The government has called on Fijian nationals to suspend outbound travel. Cruise ships remain banned from docking.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.