OPPOSITION Leader Sitiveni Rabuka says Government should urgently establish a proper quarantine facility to address the coronavirus issue instead of using
a hotel in Nadi that is frequented by tourists and locals alike.
In a statement issued yesterday, he called on authorities to put in place stricter controls at Fiji’s borders, including seaports.
Mr Rabuka said for the safety and security of the Fijian people, Government should also make it mandatory for visitors to Fiji to produce medical certificates.
“Prevention is better than cure,” he said.
“Government through the Ministry of Health should be proactive rather than reactive, given the fast-moving nature of this virus, for which there is no vaccine,
and no cure identified.”
He said the rapid spread of the virus from its epicentre in China to the United States, Canada, France, Australia, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore,
Myanmar, Korea and Japan and the deaths of more than 106 was a cause for serious concern.
“In the Pacific, the governments of Samoa, Palau, Papua New Guinea and Marshall Islands have instituted strict requirements on inbound travellers.
“Last week Fiji’s Ministry of Health announced that it would rely on China and other countries of origin to carry out screening, and did not require thermal
screening, a requirement announced by the Prime Minister on Monday, January 27, 2020.
“However, unlike the other Pacific states, Fiji does not require medical certificates to be produced by passengers dated three days before travel.
“I urge the Government to urgently give priority to the health and wellbeing of our people, and implement the requirement formedical certificates for incoming
passengers as well as checking travel history for the previous 14 days, as other Pacific nations have implemented, and to consider temporary suspension of flights
from China and other source countries for this virus.
“Prevention is better than cure and I urge those travelling into Fiji, as well as citizens, to minimise their contact with other people, or to undertake a voluntary
quarantine in their homes for 14 days after their arrival because the virus has a 14-day incubation period.”
Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said he had complete faith in his people at all the ports of entry and those tasked with processing arrivals at airports
and shipping ports.
He said the Health Ministry had learnt a lot of lessons from the SARS outbreak,
Men-C issue and the recent measles outbreak and were well prepared to handle
the coronavirus issue.
