Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-19 14:12:36|Editor: huaxia
Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama introduces the first confirmed cases in Fiji on March 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongxing)
Following the first confirmed COVID-19 case reported in Fiji, the travel restriction was upgraded to apply to all those who have been in the United States and all of Europe including Britain within 14 days of their intended travel to Fiji from midnight Thursday.
SUVA, March 19 (Xinhua) — Fiji reported on Thursday its first confirmed case of COVID-19.
In a televised speech, Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama announced that the patient from Fiji’s second largest city of Lautoka is in stable condition and is being monitored by health officials.
He said that the person contracted the disease overseas and the health teams are working on getting in contact with people who could have been potentially exposed to the virus.
It is reported that the 27-year-old man, a Fijian national flight attendant came back from Auckland, New Zealand on Tuesday. He had a history of being in San Francisco, the United States within 14 days.
The man had no fever on checking nor did he had any cough at the airport and his temperature was normal.
He presented the same evening to Lautoka hospital, saying he had a fall on the plane and still had mild chest pain. His samples were tested positive on Thursday.
The prime minister also said that Fiji is putting into place a number of measures following the first case of COVID-19 in the country.
From midnight Thursday, the travel restriction applies to all those who have been in the United States and all of Europe including Britain within 14 days of their intended travel to Fiji. Also from midnight, anyone entering from overseas serve quarantine for 14 days.
Starting Thursday night, all schools and non-essential services in the greater Lautoka areas will be closed until further notice. Banks, supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open.
Bainimarama said those who stay in the greater Lautoka area will need to remain there and those who don’t stay in this area can not travel there.
He has also announced gatherings of 20 or more people are now banned, and this includes meetings, religious gatherings and sports events.
Work places may remain open, buses and Fiji Link services can remain open and this includes work places and business and shipping outside of Lautoka, he said, adding that night clubs, gyms and fitness centers, swimming pools and cinemas will close.
All measures will be reviewed after 14 days.■
