The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has given Fiji Airways and Fiji Airports a $6.4 million grant to build a COVID-19 testing facility on Fiji Airways Aviation Academy property in Nadi.
The testing facility will be a collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and will enhance testing capacity for the tourism industry.
According to ADB’s grant approval documents, nearly 750 COVID tests per day will be required to meet pre-departure testing for tourists alone in 2022 with more testing for those working in the tourism industry and those with on-arrival test requirements.
“Fiji’s national peak testing capacity is about four reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests per 1000 population, or 3500 tests per day,” the ADB said.
“The peak test capacity in Nadi and the surrounding area where most tourists arrive and stay is about 1200 tests per day.
“To ensure testing is available to tourists and workers in the tourism industry and to reduce the strain on the testing in government labs, Fiji Airways in collaboration with the MHMS will establish a COVID-19 testing facility to co-exist with the newly established Fiji Centre for Disease Control (CDC) lab located on the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy property.
“The tourism-specific testing will offer asymptomatic testing for tourists, workers in the tourism industry and air crew and airport personnel.”
The ADB says with Fiji’s heavy reliance on the tourism industry, it is imperative that Fiji be prepared for border reopening and can support the expected influx of tourists while maintaining COVID-19 protective measures under the “new normal”.
“Support for both Fiji Airports and Fiji Airways to enhance Fiji’s capacity to reopen borders with COVID-19 measures will be transformational for Fiji’s economic recovery.”
