Fiji’s plan to reopen on November 1 depends on the country achieving its 80 per cent fully vaccinated target, setting up visitor testing for COVID-19 and vaccine passports, among other considerations.
This was highlighted by Tourism Minister Faiyaz Koya while addressing a Tourism Fiji webinar yesterday. “As you all know, we are collectively working towards a November reopening,” he said.
“To make that happen, we have to keep momentum, achieve 80 per cent of the targeted population fully vaccinated and reduce our community transmission.
“We are looking at medical and digital infrastructure, looking at market agility.
“This means having to consider frequency and platforms of testing for visitors, determining which markets to accept on what conditions, setting up vaccine passports and mutual recognition, creating a seamless travel authorisation portal, determining where tourists go in Fiji.”
Mr Koya said while tourism operators were awaiting a formal reopening announcement to help solidify reopening plans – Government was working very hard behind the scenes on finalising the reopening framework. “This framework, which outlines the entry requirements, has two goals.
“One, to minimise risks and keep both tourists and Fijians safe.
“Second, ease restrictions to maintain competitiveness.”
Mr Koya said the reopening framework was being worked on collectively with key government stakeholders – Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Ministry, Health Ministry, Tourism Fiji, Fiji Airways and the Tourism Recovery Team.
“As soon as it’s finalised, we will be sharing it with you, so you can also put your reopening plans into motion.”
