People living in the same house can have grog sessions or drinking parties - Qiliho

Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho stresses that people who are being arrested for having grog sessions or drinking parties at home are those people who are having sessions with others from outside.

Qiliho says from a legal perspective, people living in the same house can have grog sessions or drinking parties. He says under the law, it only becomes a public gathering when a visitor joins the session.

This follows questions raised by people on whether members of the same household can drink grog or have a drinking party in their own home.

Health Minister, Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete has already stressed from a health perspective that people should practise safe hygiene to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It has also been stressed not to share the bilo.

Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama earlier announced that from the 3rd of April, social gatherings have been banned entirely, everywhere in Fiji.

Bainimarama said that the 20 person limit now applies only to the workplace.

He has said that two people, three people, it doesn’t matter – no more social gatherings.

The Prime Minister also stressed to people not to have visitors over to their homes. He says your interactions should be limited entirely to those already living in your households. The Prime Minister says if you are missing a friend or loved one, do the safe thing and call them on the phone.

He says if you need to walk around or exercise you may do so, but keep a safe distance of two metres from other people while outside.