Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation CEO Kameli Batiweti made an interesting statement yesterday.
He said it would be in the Government’s best interest to listen to advice.
There is a need, he said, for political affiliations to be set aside and to find best solutions to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic, he said, is a different “beast” that no one can predict. “Let’s just park all our political affiliations, hold hands together.
And we cannot be divided at a time like this, we need to work together.” The Government, he said, should be wary of advice should it consider them.
“If I was Government I would also be concerned with some of the advice that is coming. Is it coming with a political slant or is it coming because I love my country and I want to put my life down here for my country.”
For whatever it is worth, at this time, we sit in an unusual spot as opposed to more developed nations. We are COVID-contained.
In fact we are one of the few nations in the world with that tag. In saying that, it is encouraging to note that Fijians travelling to New Zealand from Fiji will not have to test negative for COVID-19 before arriving there.
New Zealand COVID-19 response minister, Chris Hipkins, said Fiji was one of 18, mostly Pacific Island countries, who were exempt from the requirement to produce evidence of a negative approved COVID-19 test prior to arrival in New Zealand.
It is encouraging news and places us on a rather special platform. Our challenge should be to pull out all stops in our endeavour to keep the status quo at home.
That means adhering to social distancing rules.
It means being aware of symptoms and special mention must be made of our frontliners and all those working in our border quarantine facilities.
Our hopes and aspirations rest on our team members being vigilant and proactive.
Mr Hipkins said to further protect New Zealand from COVID-19, the government was extending pre-departure testing to all passengers to New Zealand except from Australia, Antarctica and most Pacific Islands.
The change, he said, will come into force for all flights arriving in New Zealand after 11.59pm (NZT) on Monday, January 25, to minimise disruption for those passengers with imminent departures.
Fijians travelling to New Zealand will also not have to submit for day one testing, but will still have to complete 14 days mandatory isolation, including routine day three and day 12 tests.
The scenario is encouraging for Fiji.
When we consider the rising number of people infected with COVID-19 around the world, we have to be grateful for our situation in Fiji.
The onus though is on the powers that be to do the right thing always.
That means making tough decisions that will continue to keep us safe.
There can be no complacency, and no room to compromise our safety as a nation.
