Following the confirmation of two new COVID-19 cases recorded in the Central Division, the Fijian Government has revised the nationwide curfew hours which comes into effect from tomorrow, Friday 3 April 2020. The new curfew hours will be from 8 pm to 5 am.

Also as announced by the Prime Minister Honourable Josaia Bainimarama, Suva will be on a lockdown commencing from 5 am tomorrow Friday 3 April 2020 for a period of 14 days.

This is to curb the unnecessary movement of people as part of the COVID-19 control measures.

All students and staff are hereby requested to strictly adhere to the latest restrictions as outlined by the Fijian Government.

Provided below are quotations from the PM Bainimarama’s national address for everyone to read and be informed.

“For a period of 14 days, we’ll be closing off entry and exit at the following checkpoints, starting from 5am tomorrow morning, the 3rd of April: the Delanavesi Bridge on the Queen’s Road, the Sawani Junction, and the Nausori Bridge.

Within the greater Suva confined area:

• The greater public will not be allowed in or out –– only those traveling for medical purposes will be allowed through checkpoints. 
• All non-essential businesses will be closed. 
• Supermarkets and shops selling food will remain open so that people can buy food. 
• Restaurants can remain open, so long as they cut seating capacity below 20 people, practice safe physical distancing between tables and at queues, and must focus on takeaway and delivery orders.  
• Banks will remain open so that people can get money. 
• Pharmacies will remain open so that people can get medicine. 
• FNPF will remain open so that people can access funds. 
• Essential business will remain open. Just like Lautoka, that list includes air and rescue services, air traffic control services, civil aviation, telecommunication services, food and sanitary manufacturing plants, electricity services, emergency services, fire services, health and hospital services, lighthouse services, meteorological services, mine pumping, ventilation and winding, sanitary services, supply and distribution of fuel and gas, power, telecommunications, garbage collection, transport services, water and sewage services, FNPF and FRCS, civil service, private security services and roading services. If your business is not on this list, close it down. As for civil servants, continue to go to work unless your Permanent Secretary has informed you to work from home.
• Markets will remain open but –– as Minister Kumar has explained on earlier occasions –– we are decentralising markets into satellite markets to prevent the sort of dangerous overcrowding that spurs the spread of the virus; and 
• Given some Fijians need to seek specialised treatment at facilities in Suva, the checkpoints will allow these individuals who need to undergo surgery or receive kidney dialysis treatment.

Nationwide, more health protection measures will be coming into effect:

From tomorrow night, the 3rd of April, our nationwide curfew will now begin earlier, starting at 8pm and extending until 5am. If you’re travelling for work or as a result of a medical emergency, you can travel during these hours. Otherwise, don’t add your name to the ever-growing list of violators. 

• Also from tomorrow, the 3rd of April, social gatherings will be banned entirely, everywhere in Fiji. Our 20 person limit now applies only to the workplace. Two people, three people, it doesn’t matter –– no more social gatherings. Do not have visitors over to your homes. Your interactions should be limited entirely to those already living in your households. If you’re missing a friend or loved one, do the safe thing and call them on the phone. If you need to walk around or exercise you may do so, but keep a safe distance of two metres from other people while outside. 
• Bus operators, drivers, and riders must take measures to ensure physical distancing is practiced on all of Fiji’s buses. Spread out as much as possible, sanitise your seats, and do not come into contact with others.”