Dr Fong says in some countries the public and govt failed to take this virus seriously and the pattern is emerging in Fiji

The Permanent Secretary for Health Doctor James Fong says in some countries around the world, the public and even governments have failed to take this virus seriously and the pattern is emerging in Fiji and this complacency is unacceptable.

Doctor Fong says some people have continued on with their normal lives, breaking rules and skirting restrictions.

He says other citizens in some countries waited for a famous celebrity, a sports hero, or more of their loved ones to die from COVID before they recognised the severity of this pandemic and by that point, it was too late.

Doctor Fong says the harder they come down on this virus now, the sooner this will be over.

He says we are fighting for the sake of normalcy and to regain the freedom to live our lives without fear of the virus.

Doctor Fong says we are also fighting to allow our economy to operate freely at its full strength and it is a fight we can win, but only if we fight it together.