The revelation that a staggering 80 people were arrested for breaching health restrictions and the curfew, in the 24 hour period from Saturday to Sunday, is a concern.
When you consider the fact that we are getting high numbers on our daily COVID-19 announcements, these breaches are frustrating.
They actually tell us many things about how people are responding to the virus.
As our report states today, acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu said of the 80 arrested, 41 were recorded for social gatherings, 34 breached curfew orders and five were public service vehicle drivers for not adhering to 50 per cent capacity requirements.
He said the Western Division recorded 39 cases where nine people in their 20s and 30s were found to have breached curfew either returning from a grog session or walking home intoxicated.
Five PSV drivers, he said, breached the 50 per cent capacity, a 24-year-old man was arrested for being drunk and loitering in the Natabua area and a 63-year-old man was also found intoxicated.
Three people, he said, were found drunk and loitering at Ram Asre Road, Lautoka and two in their 40s were arrested for a similar case at Naikabula.
The remaining 18 cases, he said, were all alcohol-related, recorded in the Ba, Lautoka, and Ra areas.
Five cases recorded in the Northern Division were all farmers found intoxicated at Tunuloa in Cakaudrove.
The Eastern Division recorded 26 cases, seven farmers of Nasikeba were found drunk during curfew hours, seven were arrested for a similar case at the Sawani Shopping Centre and five alcohol-related cases were recorded at Levuka.
He added that a 19-year-old man was arrested for loitering during curfew hours in Toga, four were found intoxicated at the Waila feeder road while two liquor-related were recorded at Nakasi.
Mr Tudravu said the Southern Division recorded 10 cases, five were found drinking liquor at Makosoi in Deuba, four cases of curfew breaches recorded at Tacirua and a 35-year-old man was found drunk and loitering during curfew hours at Savura.
You will notice that many people are either drunk or engaging in dangerous social activities.
They are either oblivious to the need for us to adhere to COVID-safety rules, ignorant of the requirements or simply do not care.
They probably think they are immune to the virus. Our clusters are increasing.
The number of infected people is on the rise. The curve is not bending right now.
But we must be part of the process to curb the rise in infections.
We all know what must be done.
We all know the rules, and we all know why it is important to stay at home.
We all know why we must wear face masks when out in public.
The question is what are we doing about it?
The majority of Fijians are already strictly adhering to safety rules. Thank you.
We can only hope there isn’t too much frustration because of the long stretch of lockdowns, and restrictions such as curfews.
For now, let’s just do the right thing please, and let’s hope the powers that be are in tune with what is happening around us, and are making tough decisions that are good for us all.
