COVID-19 pandemic in Fiji

On 3 February, the Government of Fiji toughened border security. Borders were closed to foreign nationals who have been in mainland China within 14 days of their intended travel to Fiji.[6] Measures to maintain a hygienic environment and screening ill passengers will continue to be taken in-flight to further minimise any risk.[7]

On 27 February, Fiji extended its travel ban and announced that travellers from Italy, Iran and the South Korean cities of Daegu and Cheongdo would be denied entry. From 28 February, all cruise ships entering Fiji have been required to make first berths at ports in Suva and Lautoka, where passengers undergo medical and travel history checks.[8]

On 15 March, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama had announced that from 16 March cruise ships will be banned from berthing anywhere in Fiji and international events will not be allowed in Fiji. Government ministers and staff will be restricted from travelling overseas.[9]

On 19 March, Fiji confirmed its first case, a 27 year old Fijian citizen who is a flight attendant of Fiji Airways. He had arrived from San Francisco returning via Nadi on 16 March. On 17 March, he had travelled from Nadi to Auckland and a return from Auckland to Nadi on the same day. He was admitted to Lautoka Hospital. [10] Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama announced a further extension of the ban to foreign nationals who have been present in the United States, as well as all of Europe including the United Kingdom. Also all travellers arriving in or returning to Fiji from outside of the country must self-isolate for 14 days.[11] On 20 March, all schools and non-essential businesses in Lautoka had been closed at midnight, however banks, supermarkets, pharmacies and essential businesses remained open.[12][13] The Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Rosy Akbar in consultation with the Prime Minister announced that the national term one school holidays that was initially scheduled from 20 April to 1 May will be brought forward to 23 March to 3 April.[14] Fiji Airways had suspended all international flights until the end of May, with the exception of twice-weekly services between Singapore and Nadi.[15] The government had established two fever clinics in Lautoka.[16]

On 21 March, Fiji confirmed its second case, it was the first local transmission case through household contact. She is the mother of the first patient and is admitted in Nadi Hospital. Other family members are in quarantine and being monitored.[17]

On 23 March, Fiji confirmed its third case, a one-year-old nephew of the first patient.[18] The government established eight fever clinics around the country with six clinics running in Nasinu, Labasa, Savusavu, and Nabouwalu. Two others have been running in Lautoka since 20 March.[19]

On 24 March, Fiji confirmed its fourth case, a 28-year-old Fijian citizen, who had returned from Sydney over the weekend and is not related to the first three cases. He and his immediate family members are in quarantine and being monitored at the Navua Hospital.[20] Fiji Airways had suspended all Singapore and Hong Kong flights after the two countries introduced its border restrictions.[21]

On 25 March, Fiji confirmed its fifth case, a 31-year-old female from Lautoka. She was in contact with the first case, the flight attendant.[22] Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama had announced that Nadi International Airport will shut down from 26 March and all local shipping services will cease from 29 March.[23]

On 26 March, Attorney General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum revealed the COVID-19 response budget.[24]

On 27 March, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama announced a nationwide curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. that would take effect on 30 March.[25]

On 30 March, Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Rosy Akbar announced that the school holidays will be extended for another two weeks until 17 April.[26]

On 1 April, Minister for Health and Medical Services Ifereimi Waqainabete announced that the Lautoka lock down will be extended till 7 April to ensure that no COVID-19 cases left undetected.[27]

On 2 April, Fiji confirmed two cases, a couple from Suva. Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama stated that the sixth case is a 22-year-old woman and the seventh case is her 33-year-old husband. They are admitted at Navua Hospital. Due to this, the Prime Minister announced that Suva will be going into a lockdown effective from 3 April at 5 a.m. Also, the government renewed the national curfew where it will start from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.[28]

On 4 April, Fiji confirmed five cases from Labasa, Suva, Nadi and Lautoka. Two cases was confirmed in Labasa, a 53-year-old Fijian citizen who is the ninth case, he is related to the sixth and seventh case and is admitted at Labasa Hospital. The ninth case had arrived from India via Singapore on the 22 March. He had failed to isolate for 14 days, thus increasing the risk of community transmission in Fiji. It is believed that he contracted the disease while attending the Tablighi Jamaat in India. An eighth case was confirmed in Lautoka, a 39-year-old female from Natowaqa. She is admitted at Lautoka Hospital. A tenth case was confirmed in Nadi, a 20-year-old Fijian citizen from Nadovi with travel history to Auckland. An eleventh case was confirmed in Labasa, the 26-year-old daughter-in-law of the ninth case. A twelfth case was confirmed in Suva, a 11-year-old female who contracted the disease from her parents, the sixth and seventh cases. She is admitted at Navua Hospital.[29][30]

On 6 April, Fiji confirmed two cases from Labasa and Lautoka. In Lautoka, the thirteen case of the sister of Fiji's first case was confirmed positive of the disease. She is also the mother of the third case a one-year-old boy who was also confirmed positive of the disease earlier. In Labasa, the fourteen case was the 53-year-old wife of the ninth case. She was taken into isolation two days before being diagnosed positive.[31]

On 7 April, Fiji confirmed its fifteenth case, a 33-year-old man from Lautoka. This case is linked to the first case of the flight attendant. He is the husband of the fifth case.[32] Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho had confirmed that a police investigation would proceed for the 27-year-old flight attendant from Lautoka who was the first confirmed COVID-19 case and the ninth case a 53-year-old Labasa man for allegedly breaching the Public Health Regulations.[33]

On 10 April, Fiji confirmed its sixteenth case, a 9-year-old female from Labasa. She is the granddaughter of the ninth case and is admitted in Labasa hospital.[34]

On 16 April, Fiji confirmed its seventeenth case, a 21-year-old male from Labasa. He is the relative of the ninth case.[35] Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama announced that schools will remain closed till 15 June. He also announced the extension of the quarantine period to a full 28 days, both for anyone who is newly-quarantined and to those who currently are waiting out their initial 14-day period.[36]

On 20 April, Fiji confirmed its eighteenth case, a 51-year-old Fijian citizen who resides in Ba. She had arrived from the United States on the 22nd of March.[37] Meanwhile, three people have recovered and had been discharged from hospital.[38]

On 2 May, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama confirmed two additional recoveries with a 78% recovery rate.[39]

On 8 May, Fiji Airways extended all flight suspension till the end of June due to the prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.[40]

On 15 May, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama confirmed one additional recovery. He added that the curfew hours will still remain in place.[41]

On 5 June, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama confirmed the recovery of all the three remaining active cases, entailing a 100% recovery rate.[42] The Ministry of Education has extended the school break for another two weeks with the anticipated reopening date set on 30 June.[43]

On 22 June, a COVID Risk Mitigation Taskforce was established to carefully determine which countries have managed absolute containment of COVID-19.[44]