Fiji: Authorities ease COVID-19 regulations nationwide as of Feb. 7 /update 18

Event

Officials in Fiji have eased several COVID-19 restrictions nationwide as of Feb. 7. The government has lifted a nationwide 00:01-04:00 curfew and ended gathering limits. Most businesses, venues, and religious sites can operate at full capacity. The government no longer requires patrons and owners at these locations to use the careFiji application or Vax Check tool or post QR codes for contact tracing. Pubs can also reopen and operate until 01:00 daily but cannot exceed 80-percent capacity; dancing remains prohibited. Public transport can also operate at total capacity, with all passengers wearing a facemask while onboard.

Authorities will allow international travelers 12 years old and above from designated Travel Partner locations to enter with a rapid antigen test (RAT) taken within 24 hours of departure starting Feb. 9.

Domestic Measures
Social distancing measures remain in place. Officials continue to limit capacity at high-risk places, such as pubs, gyms, cinemas, and personal services, to 80 percent. Nightclubs remain closed. Facemasks are required in most public indoor areas and on public transport. 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, 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 24 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.