Fiji: Authorities to tighten social distancing rules nationwide as of Jan. 14 due to increased COVID-19 activity /update 17

Event

Fiji officials have introduced a gathering limit of 20 people at home and in public nationwide amid increased COVID-19 activity as of Jan. 14. However, 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.

Domestic Measures
Social distancing measures remain in place. A nationwide 00:01-04:00 curfew is ongoing. Officials limit capacity at workplaces, tertiary institutions, places of worship, recreational, and hospitality venues to 80 percent, with fully vaccinated workers and patrons. Facemasks are required in most public areas, except when exercising, having picnics at the beach, or on boats.

Employers must ensure that employees and customers wear appropriate protective equipment, including facemasks, complete 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. The government requires companies to post Quick Response (QR) codes at the entrance of all facilities, and patrons must check-in. Employers must provide equipment and smartphones for employees, if necessary, and send health authorities information on absentee workers. Officials could issue a fine of up to FJD 10,000 and/or five years imprisonment for people violating the measures.

Public transport operates at 80-percent capacity for vaccinated passengers. Officials have lifted quarantine and testing requirements for most domestic travel. Maritime transport has resumed between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu; however, vessels must limit capacity to 50 percent. Authorities also request that inter-island travelers avoid the so-called red zones, with vaccination rates below 60 percent. Officials may require a seven-day quarantine for travelers to outlying islands designated red zones. Authorities have also suspended all maritime transport to some islands due to COVID-19 concerns.

International Travel Restrictions
Fiji continues to ban entry for most foreign nationals and unvaccinated residents. However, 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 here. Entrants from Travel Partner locations must obtain a negative COVID-19 test result taken 48 hours or less before departure. Travelers from the UK and the US must provide a negative PCR result from a test taken within one calendar day of departure. All arrivals must download the careFIJI app. Foreign arrivals must also hold international travel insurance.

Officials require inbound passengers to take a rapid antigen test 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 self-quarantine for five days before departure and receive negative COVID-19 test results on day five and within 72 hours before departure. Officials have also increased quarantine time upon arrival from 10 to 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.

International commercial flights are resuming gradually, though officials may continue to authorize some charter flights for repatriation and emergency medical purposes. Cruise ships remain banned from docking; however, yachts and private leisure vessels can dock at Savusavu Bay and Port Denarau with permission and adherence to quarantine and testing requirements.

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.