Fiji: Authorities tightening restrictions for businesses nationwide as of May 21 due to COVID-19 concerns /update 6

Event

Authorities have tightened regulations on businesses in Fiji amid ongoing COVID-19 concerns. Under the latest measures, all companies that wish to operate 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 4,928) and/or five years imprisonment for people violating the new measures.

Existing measures continue outside of Viti Levu. Religious and other public gatherings are banned, though funerals may take place with up to 20 people. All schools remain closed. A 23:00-04:00 curfew will remain in effect; officers monitor roads during the curfew and send home people who are out 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 continues to impose tighter measures on Viti Levu where COVID-19 transmission is occurring. An 18:00-04:00 curfew remains in effect islandwide. Officials have extended a lockdown in the Nadali area of Nausori until early June to enable widespread testing. Residents must stay home, except for emergencies, and cannot exit the town. Returning individuals can enter Nadali but cannot leave again. Most businesses will remain closed. The government continues to classify Lami, Lautoka, Nadi, Nausori, Rakiraki, and Suva on Viti Levuas containment zones. The government advises residents in the affected zones to stay home unless traveling for essential reasons, such as purchasing food, banking, or attending work. Employers must provide documentation for critical employees to travel to work. Most nonessential businesses are closed within containment zones. 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.

Domestic flights remain grounded through at least May 30. 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 May 30, 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.