Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says health experts led by the Minister for Health and the highly-qualified team of experts have ensured that every passenger entering the country, whether by plane or ship, is screened for the Novel Coronavirus the moment they first step in the country.
Bainimarama says they are continuously and closely monitoring the fast-moving spread of the virus around the world, and has doubled-down on the monitoring and prevention efforts in Fiji as the number of global cases continues to rise.
The Prime Minster also adds that Fijian borders are closed to all foreign nationals who have been present in mainland China within two weeks of their intended travel to Fiji.
Bainimarama added that the borders will remain closed as they constantly assess the situation on the ground and pre-screening measures remain in place to prevent any infected persons from transiting to Fiji.
He says that they have diligently tested every single possible case of Coronavirus in Fiji and has sent samples to Australia whenever there has been the slightest symptom or suspicion of the virus and to date, every test has come back negative.
He also says that had the borders completely shut down, as some called for, the nationwide preparation and prevention efforts would have been nearly impossible to undertake.
The Prime Minister is also assuring tourism operators that travel restrictions in place due to Novel Coronavirus will be normalised as soon as it is safe to do so.
Bainimarama also stated that stricter border controls, as well as travel disruptions around the world, are already having an impact on visitor arrivals and the global economy as a whole.
He says the potential for further economic implications is substantial; for comparison, in 2003, the SARS virus was projected to have shaved as much as $100 billion US-dollars off the global economy.
He adds that the Coronavirus is expected to be much worse, and the World Bank has warned that least-developed countries will likely be hit the hardest by this crisis.
Bainimarama mentioned that since Fiji is now entering normal flu season, and influenza shares many of the same symptoms as Coronavirus, the best course of action is to treat this flu season with increased caution such as washing your hands, covering your mouth and nose as you cough and sneeze, and not share communal takis and bilos, and avoid contact with those showing symptoms.
He adds that if you have been in close contact with anyone who has been to China in the past 14 days or has been to mainland China and develop any of the symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing should immediately contact the Health Ministry on one of these numbers in Central Division - 2219905; Eastern Division - 2219906; Western Division - 2219907; Northern Division – 2219908.
There are still no confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the country.
Aljazeera reports the total number of cases in China is more than 64,000 while 1,367 people have lost their lives.
The virus has spread to 25 other countries outside of China.
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