Fiji: Authorities ease COVID-19 measures nationwide as of March 28; border controls to change from April 7 /update 20

Event

Fijian authorities have eased COVID-19 controls nationwide as of March 28. Officials have ended social distancing measures, lifted a facemask mandate, and halted capacity restrictions at businesses. However, the government encourages people to wear facemasks if they are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms.

Starting April 7, the government will end the Travel Partner system, permitting fully vaccinated travelers from all locations. Authorities will also end the mandatory three-day stay in a Care Fiji establishment. Inbound travelers must continue to take a rapid antigen test (RAT) within 24 hours of arrival at an approved facility.

Domestic Measures
Employees at high-risk businesses and Care Fiji Certified accommodations and operators must continue to confirm that patrons are fully vaccinated. Officials could issue a fine of up to FJD 10,000 and/or five years imprisonment for people violating the measures.

Authorities have reduced the quarantine period for residents that test positive for COVID-19 from 10 to seven days, provided their symptoms are improving, and they have not had a fever in the previous 24 hours. The quarantine period begins at the onset of symptoms for symptomatic cases and from asymptomatic people's first positive test result. Close contacts of COVID-19 cases no longer have to quarantine unless they display symptoms.

Maritime transport has resumed between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu without testing or quarantine requirements; however, authorities request that inter-island travelers avoid so-called red zones or areas with vaccination rates below 60 percent. Officials may require a seven-day quarantine for travelers to outlying islands designated red zones.

International Travel Restrictions
Fiji continues to ban entry for most foreign nationals and unvaccinated residents. However, until April 7, the government permits fully vaccinated residents and foreign nationals from Travel Partner locations, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, the UAE, the UK, the US, and several Pacific nations and territories. A complete list of Travel Partner locations is available by clicking here. Entrants from most Travel Partner locations must obtain a negative COVID-19 RAT result taken within 24 hours or a PCR test result within 48 hours before departure. Fijian nationals from non-Travel Partner locations must take a PCR test within two calendar days of departure. All arrivals must download the careFIJI app. Foreign arrivals must also hold international travel insurance.

Officials require inbound passengers to take a RAT within 24 hours of arrival. Permitted travelers from Travel Partner locations must undergo a three-day quarantine at a Care Fiji Commitment (CFC) hotel booked in advance and take a COVID-19 test on day two of quarantine. Entrants can leave quarantine upon receiving a negative test result. Fully vaccinated citizens and residents from non-Travel Partner locations must receive negative COVID-19 test results 48 hours before departure. Travelers from these locations must also quarantine for 14 days at government-managed facilities, with three rounds of testing before travelers' release. Entrants must 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, and health-related expenses are FJD 690. Some inbound travelers may be allowed to self-quarantine with permission.

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.