We had noticed an increase in non-essential travel - Dr Fong

We had noticed an increase in non-essential travel - Dr Fong

By Shanil Singh
13/03/2021
Permanent Secretary for Health Doctor James Fong. [image: file]

The Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr James Fong says they had noticed an increase in the number of people travelling in and out of the country which is why they have decided that those who come to Fiji for non-essential reasons will have to pay for their quarantine.

Fijians who are coming into the country for non-essential reasons will now have to pay for their quarantine from 29th March 2021.

Dr Fong says government was paying the quarantine costs for all returning Fijians because the idea was to bring all of them back to Fiji who were stuck in other countries.

He says this was the initial intent.

Dr Fong says they feel 12 months was enough for people to realise that there will be a cost associated upon their return to Fiji.

0% buffered00:00Current time00:00

More than 12,800 Fijians have been repatriated through Fiji’s COVID-safe quarantine protocols since last March last where government has paid over $18 million to cover meals, accommodation, swab tests, transportation and personnel costs.

The average cost for a 14-day quarantine period will be around $2,200.

Earlier;


Fijians returning for non-essential reasons to pay for quarantine costs from 29th March

By Shanil Singh
13/03/2021
International Arrivals, Nadi [image: Fouresquare]

Fijians who are coming into the country for non-essential reasons will now have to pay for their quarantine from 29th March 2021.

In a statement, the government says Fijians planning to come to Fiji for personal reasons including to visit friends and family will be required to incur the cost of the mandatory 14-day quarantine.

They say the new charges will apply to all Fijian passport holders including Fijians who have been residing overseas and are dual passport holders or permanent residents of another country.

These charges will depend on the quarantine facility and will average around $2,200 for the entire 14-day quarantine.

The charges will include the cost of accommodation and meals which will be directly payable to the quarantine facilities.

Government says exemptions from these charges will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and approved by the Permanent Secretary for Health.

These exemptions include Fijian citizens who have travelled outside of Fiji before 28th March 2020 and are now returning home, students and their approved dependents on government sponsored or government endorsed scholarships returning after completion of studies, patient and approved companion supported by the Ministry of Health to seek medical assistance in overseas, Fijian citizens employed under a government-to-government arrangement that the Fijian Government is a party to such as workers returning under labour schemes, returning servicemen, Fijian Government officials, Fijian Diplomats including spouse and children under the age of 18 years who have travelled for official purposes.

Since March 2020, more than 12,800 Fijians have been repatriated through Fiji’s COVID-safe quarantine protocols where government has paid over $18 million to cover meals, accommodation, swab tests, transportation and personnel costs.





FEATURE NEWS
Prof. Prasad calls for unity and swift justice after Shiv Temple sacrilege
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says he is absolutely disgusted by the sacrilegious act at the Shiv Temple in S...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
We won’t let them win, we will live together in peace - Alvick Maharaj
This kind of hate and disrespect for religion has no place in our community. These actions are meant to scare us and divide us, but we won't let ...
9 minutes ago

Cement supply normalises as Pacific Cement resumes production after successful mill repairs
Good news for the construction industry as cement supply in the market is now normalized. While providing an update on its subsidiary Pacific ...
1 hour ago

Singh condemns vandalism at Samabula Shiv Temple
Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs Charan Jeath Singh says he is deeply concerned and saddened by the recent act of vandalism at the Samabula Shiv ...
3 hours ago

Burger King provides $30,000 to support education for needy children
Thousands of underprivileged children in Fiji are one step closer to accessing better education, thanks to a generous $30,000 donation from Burger ...
18 hours ago

Man arrested for allegedly destroying idols at Samabula Sanatan Shiv Mandir in broad daylight
A man has been arrested and is being questioned for allegedly entering and destroying idols at the Sanatan Shiv Mandir in Samabula in broad ...
18 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
3 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
5 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
8 days ago

TOP