Fiji: Authorities slightly easing restrictions nationwide as of June 2 amid ongoing COVID-19 concerns /update 7

Event

Authorities have slightly eased regulations nationwide, despite ongoing COVID-19 activity in some areas. Religious and other public gatherings are banned, though funerals may take place with up to 20 people. A nationwide 23:00-04:00 curfew remains in effect for all areas except containment zones. Officers monitor roads during the curfew and send home people without valid reasons, such as work or emergency purposes. Businesses with shift workers during curfew hours must provide employees with a letter with their work requirements and hours and an official contact number for verification. People who breach regulations could face fines or imprisonment.

The government has merged containment zones on Viti Levu due to strain on security personnel. Authorities now enforce one containment zone, including Nadi and Lautoka, in Western Division and a Central Division containment zone, compromised of Suva, Lami, and Nausori. Travel between these areas is now possible, though residents remain restricted to travel for essential purposes such as purchasing food, banking, or attending work. Employers must provide documentation for critical employees to travel to work. Officials are allowing more businesses in affected zones to reopen, primarily companies that support essential services, fulfill foreign orders, IT suppliers, and services for essential utilities, among others. Officials continue to enforce an 18:00-04:00 curfew in the Lami-Nausori containment zone and a 20:00-04:00 curfew in the Western Division containment zone. High-risk businesses, such as gyms, bars, and personal services, remain closed in both areas. Restaurants may only offer takeout and delivery services. Authorities have banned travel to and from the containment areas and erected checkpoints to monitor traffic. Transport for medical purposes is exempt from the controls. Public transport services inside containment zones operate at 50-percent capacity. The government continues to enforce short-term lockdowns for neighborhoods in containment zones with reported COVID-19 activity; residents must stay at home during the period. Authorities will also severely restrict transport and business operations in areas under lockdown.

Most businesses can resume operations in other areas of Fiji, but owners must limit capacity to 50 percent; capacity limits do not apply to manufacturing facilities where additional employees are required. Employers must ensure that employees and customers wear appropriate protective equipment, including facemasks, check temperature checks before entry, and consistently enforce 2-meter (6.5-foot) distancing. Workers must also download the government's careFiji mobile application to attend work. Companies must also post a quick response (QR) code at the entrance of all facilities and require patrons to check-in. Employers must provide equipment and smartphones for employees, if necessary, and provide health authorities information on absentee workers. Officials could issue a fine of up to FJD 10,000 (USD 4,930) and/or five years imprisonment for people violating the new measures.

The government allows residents from Vanua Levu and outlying islands to travel to Viti Levu for medical purposes or relocation with the Ministry of Transport's permission. Short-term travel between the islands remains banned. Domestic flights remain grounded through at least June 12. The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) has suspended all outbound maritime passenger transport from Viti Levu. Inter-island cargo services continue; captains of vessels must register with MSAF and only offload cargo in designated areas. Cargo truck drivers may also continue to operate inter-island deliveries but must always remain in their vehicles while on Vanua Levu and outlying islands. After completing deliveries, drivers must return to a designated location to await return ferries.

Travel Restrictions
The government has suspended all international commercial and repatriation flights through June 12, though some charter flights for emergency medical purposes may be authorized. Additional extensions are possible. Foreign nationals cannot enter Fiji unless they first receive explicit authorization from Fijian immigration officials. Authorities require permitted passengers to undergo a reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure. Arrivals from abroad must quarantine for 14 days, download the careFIJI app, and undergo COVID-19 testing after arrival and on day 12 of quarantine. The government also requires passengers who 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 1,084), 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.