SUVA, Dec 30 (NNN-PIN) – Fiji announced yesterday that, it will re-tighten its border restrictions for all foreign travellers from Jan 1, as more COVID-19 cases continue to be confirmed among foreign travellers coming to the island nation.
According to a statement by Fiji’s Health Ministry, effective from Jan 1, all foreign travellers from travel partner countries and non-travel partner countries, must produce a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test, taken no more than two days prior to departure day.
Prior to this, foreign travellers had to return a negative PCR test 72 hours before leaving.
The changes apply to all travellers disembarking in and transiting through Fiji, which re-opened its international borders for tourists from its travel partner countries, such as, Australia and the United States.
In addition, all eligible foreign travellers will now be required to take an approved Rapid Antigen Test, after 24 hours of their arrival into the island nation.
Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Health, James Fong, said, the changes came as more COVID-19 cases continue to be recorded among foreign travellers coming to the country.
All these cases were of fully vaccinated individuals who tested negative on their three-day pre-departure PCR test and are currently in isolation within Fijian hotels.
He said, they anticipated an increasing number of cases from border quarantine facilities.
Fong added, the Health Ministry is preparing hospitals for any surge in COVID-19 cases.
While health facilities are being prepared, he also stressed the possibility of reintroducing earlier curfews, placing more restrictions on gatherings, and escalating further their masking mandates, is always under consideration.
Fong urged Fijians to get vaccinated to ensure they are protected against the disease.
Currently, a total of 91.9 percent of the adult target population in Fiji have been fully vaccinated, while 97.7 percent have received one dose of the vaccines.– NNN-PIN
