STAY home and do not visit anyone’s place to consume kava or congregate, says Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho.
Responding to queries from members of the public on the consumption of yaqona in homes during the curfew hours, he said police would arrest non-residents found in other people’s homes during curfew hours.
Brig-Gen Qiliho said the act of visiting a house to consume yaqona was a social gathering.
“Even if there are less than 20 people consuming yaqona in a home, if there are people in the group who do not reside in the home they will be arrested,” he said.
“The Ministry of Health is discouraging social consumption of yaqona because it has high risks of spreading the COVID-19 virus.
“Therefore if you want to consume yaqona just do so within the confines of your homes.
“It is not that we are against the consumption of yaqona, but this is being done to ensure the safety of individuals in communities.”
Meanwhile, in his Easter address Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama called on Fijians to not let the sacrifices made by healthcare workers, utility workers and disciplined forces during the long weekend be in vain.
