Press Release

COVID-19 Situation Update

Friday 03rd December

Epidemic Outlook:

The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the outbreak using indicators such as daily case numbers, hospitalizations, test positivity, and deaths.

Occupancy rates in health facilities, the occupancy rate of ICU beds, death rates, and vaccination coverage are indicators to monitor our health response capacity and we see a decreasing trend across indicators from our health facilities with increasing vaccination coverage for adults and 15-17-year-olds in Fiji. With the commencement of vaccination for 12-14-year-olds, we expect their coverage to contribute to reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

With international travel open, we anticipate our testing numbers to increase from international repatriates and travelers including Fijians visiting families and friends. With increasing COVID-19 cases in the European region and the emergence of the new variant Omicron, there is cause for concern. Our border health measures and surveillance will need to be strengthened and maintained. We anticipate continued surveillance and testing in our communities and maritime islands to monitor and detect cases for early intervention.

Public Advisory:

Opening Borders and Variants

Today Fiji opened our international air travel borders to fully vaccinated COVID-tested travelers.

The reports about the new variant continue with new evidence that OMICRON had already achieved global spread well before it was reported by South African scientists, establishing itself in some European countries. These are countries that have the ability to check for the variant while other countries do not have genetic sequencing and cannot confirm cases of the variant at this time.

In Fiji, we currently have COVID-positive travelers in quarantine who arrived in the country from African states before we knew about OMICRON. They have been quarantined in line with the stringent measures we apply to countries we consider a red zone for ongoing viral spread. Their specimens have been received by our partner laboratory in Australia and genetic sequencing is ongoing.

If transmissible enough, stringent border and community measures will only delay the inevitable entry and spread of current and future variants of the COVID 19 Virus. Fiji citizens will only be safe if we remain COVID safe with 2-meter physical distancing; mask wisely by carrying a mask when you are out of your home and wear the mask properly in public indoor spaces, public service vehicles, and outdoor crowded spaces; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; keep hands clean; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue; and get vaccinated when it’s your turn. This message is more important than all the stringent public health community and border measures.

Community Engagement and Community Based Surveillance Training

The risk communications and community engagement team under the COVID-19 Incident Management Unit is currently rolling out community engagement training with community health workers, turaga-ni-koro, mata-ni-tikina, church leaders, school managers, headteachers, and principals in rural areas throughout Fiji. The outcome of this training is COVID-19 preparedness, equipping local communities with the knowledge to carry out community-based surveillance, care pathways for COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 safe measures as the country opens its international and national borders and families reunite for the festive season across the country. We are mindful of the rainy season and the threat of cyclones. Furthermore, we usually expect cases of Leptospirosis, Typhoid, Dysentery, and Flu during this time.

A key message we want participants to promote is that family and community gatherings may result in a laxity of COVID-19 measures and that it is their duty as community leaders to ensure that all members of the community understand the reasons behind the COVID-19 safe measures and that each and every person plays their part in keeping their families and communities safe. It is important that COVID-19 preparedness is incorporated into the community action plans that address village development including disaster preparedness.  The community engagement is rolled out with support from the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs for the participation of the Roko Tui, the Assistant Roko Tui’s and the Turaga ni Koro and the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development through the Commissioner’s Office for the participation of the District Officer and District Advisory Councilors.

Maritime Islands Travel

We are greatly encouraged that the pockets of red zone areas with less than 60% vaccination coverage in areas of Vanua Levu and the Maritime Zones have greatly reduced.

Acknowledging the efforts of medical teams in the north and the maritime divisions and the positive response from the public to come forward, a considerable number of individuals in low coverage areas have received their second dose. The decrease in the number of low coverage areas in the north and maritime islands means vaccination coverage rates in these areas have improved, contributing to increased protection of communities throughout the country.  Therefore, as of Saturday 04th December 2021, the capacity of vessels to Vanua Levu and the maritime islands will now be increased to 80%

Shipping companies are also reminded of their responsibility to maintain COVID-19 procedures, pre-boarding, during travel, and upon disembarkation at the destination. Our border health teams will continue to monitor the oversight provided by the shipping companies and ensure that COVID-19 safety measures are followed and travel guidelines are adhered to.

The public is also reminded to adhere strictly to COVID-19 safe measures of appropriate masking, especially in indoor public spaces, covering our coughs and sneezes, washing our hands regularly with soap and water, or using a hand sanitizer and maintaining a safe physical distancing of 2 meters to mitigate the risks of community transmission.

25 November 2021

Public Advisory

COVID-19 Vaccination Registration for Fijian Residents Vaccinated Abroad

Individuals who are Fijian Citizens or Fiji Permit Holders and have received their COVID-19 vaccination in another country apart from Fiji, can now register their vaccination details in the Fijian Government Digital Vaccination Registry System.

An individual can register at https://vra.digitalfiji.gov.fj// under the international vaccination registration category. To register, an individual must have:

• A valid vaccination reference number (if any dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was received in Fiji)
• Birth Registration Number/Citizenship Number
• A valid photo identification – Joint FNPF/FRCA, driver’s license, passport, student ID, or FNPF card.
• A scanned copy of the valid vaccination card/certificate as proof of vaccination is the official document of the country where the individual was vaccinated.

For any queries, email: regvaxinternational@gmail.com

To learn more about registering into the International Vaccination Registry, go to:

The verification of the registration and an individual’s vaccination status will be completed within 3-5 days.

Registration Guideline

Epidemic Outlook:

The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the outbreak using indicators such as daily case numbers, hospitalizations, test positivity, and deaths.

Occupancy rates in health facilities, the occupancy rate of ICU beds, death rates, and vaccination coverage are indicators to monitor our health response capacity and we see a decreasing trend across indicators from our health facilities with increasing vaccination coverage for adults and 15-17-year-olds in Fiji. With the commencement of vaccination for 12-14-year-olds, we expect their coverage to contribute to reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

With borders opening today, we anticipate our testing numbers to increase from international repatriates and travelers including Fijians visiting families and friends. With increasing COVID-19 cases in the European region, and the emergence of the new variant of concern; B.1.1.529, named Omicron, noted to have several mutations, is a cause for concern. Our border health measures and surveillance will need to be strengthened and maintained.

Our weekly testing numbers of over 4,000 are still above the WHO recommended rate of 4 tests per 1,000 population per week (or approx. 3,500 tests per week) and we anticipate continued surveillance and testing in our communities and maritime islands to monitor and detect cases for early intervention.

Public Advisory:

Opening Borders and Variants

Today Fiji opened our international air travel borders to fully vaccinated COVID-tested travelers.

The reports about the new variant continue with new evidence that OMICRON had already achieved global spread well before it was reported by South African scientists, establishing itself in some European countries. These are countries that have the ability to check for the variant while other countries do not have genetic sequencing and cannot confirm cases of the variant at this time.

In Fiji, we currently have COVID-positive travelers in quarantine who arrived in the country from African states before we knew about OMICRON. They have been quarantined in line with the stringent measures we apply to countries we consider a red zone for ongoing viral spread. Their specimens will be forwarded this week overseas for genetic sequencing.

If transmissible enough, stringent border and community measures will only delay the inevitable entry and spread of current and future variants of the COVID 19 Virus. Fiji citizens will only be safe if we remain COVID safe with 2-meter physical distancing; mask wisely by carrying a mask when you are out of your home and wear the mask properly in public indoor spaces, public service vehicles, and outdoor crowded spaces; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; keep hands clean; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue; and get vaccinated when it’s your turn. This message is more important than all the stringent public health community and border measures.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is continuing to improve public health and medical capacities to manage an increase in cases. As such the remodeling of the health service provision will continue its current focus on:

1. Community surveillance through test trace and track protocols is being escalated to help us identify and contain any outbreak early.
2. Registration and line listing of vulnerable persons especially in poorly vaccinated areas has been done;
3. Preparations for the monitoring of positive cases and vulnerable persons to ensure better access to appropriate care plans has been made;
4. Clinical care protocols for the severe disease has been reviewed and strengthened;

Supporting School Re-opening

As international travel starts we also need to start looking at schools opening. While COVID-19 poses a lower risk to children we know that secondary transmission from young school-age children can and does occur in both household and school settings. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is concerned about the adverse impact that school closure is causing to the mental and physical health of our children, and also to our medical programs in schools. Whilst our vaccination program of children is ongoing, it is important that we appreciate that all our community-based COVID safe measures are the key to ensuring the safe return of our children to school. In much the same way that we need to be COVID safe to help keep our borders open we also need to be COVID safe to help open our schools and keep them open.

Community Engagement and Community Based Surveillance Training

The risk communications and community engagement team under the COVID-19 Incident Management Unit is currently rolling out community engagement training with community health workers, turaga-ni-koro, mata-ni-tikina, church leaders, school managers, headteachers, and principals in rural areas throughout Fiji. The outcome of this training is COVID-19 preparedness, equipping local communities with the knowledge to carry out community-based surveillance, care pathways for COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 safe measures as the country opens its international and national borders and families reunite for the festive season across the country. We are mindful of the rainy season and the threat of cyclones. Furthermore, we usually expect cases of Leptospirosis, Typhoid, Dysentery, and Flu during this time.

Using COVID-19 surveillance guidelines developed by the Fiji CDC, the community engagement roll-out provides guidance for local community leaders to recognize and identify COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, signs, and symptoms and ensure the health and medical authorities are informed in a timely manner and able to respond appropriately cases that may develop in the community.

A key message we want participants to promote is that family and community gatherings may result in a laxity of COVID-19 measures and that it is their duty as community leaders to ensure that all members of the community understand the reasons behind the COVID-19 safe measures and that each and every person plays their part in keeping their families and communities safe. It is important that COVID-19 preparedness is incorporated into the community action plans that address village development including disaster preparedness.  The community engagement is rolled out with support from the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs for the participation of the Roko Tui, the Assistant Roko Tui’s and the Turaga ni Koro and the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development through the Commissioner’s Office for the participation of the District Officer and District Advisory Councilors.

COVID-19 Situation Update

Monday 29th November

Epidemic Outlook:

The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the outbreak using indicators such as daily case numbers, hospitalizations, test positivity, and deaths.

Occupancy rates in health facilities, the occupancy rate of ICU beds, death rates, and vaccination coverage are indicators to monitor our health response capacity and we see a decreasing trend across indicators from our health facilities with increasing vaccination coverage for adults and 15-17-year-olds in Fiji. With the commencement of vaccination for 12-14-year-olds, we expect their coverage to contribute to reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

With borders opening in the next two days, we anticipate our testing numbers to increase from international repatriates and travelers including Fijians visiting families and friends. With increasing COVID-19 cases in the European region, and the emergence of the new variant of concern; B.1.1.529, named Omicron, noted to have several mutations, is a cause for concern. Our border health measures and surveillance will need to be strengthened and maintained.

Our weekly testing numbers of over 4,000 are still above the WHO recommended rate of 4 tests per 1,000 population per week (or approx. 3,500 tests per week) and we anticipate continued surveillance and testing in our communities and maritime islands to monitor and detect cases for early intervention.

Public Advisory:

Omicron

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has continued to review findings released by international experts on the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. Based on advice from the World Health Organization released today, we note the following:

Transmissibility: It is not yet clear whether Omicron is more transmissible (e.g., more easily spread from person to person) compared to other variants, including Delta. There is some reported field evidence of increased transmissibility in South Africa however epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if it is because of Omicron or other factors. The public is advised that if indeed the virus is more transmissible than delta, then it will be inevitable that it gets to Fiji. In this instance the current steps we are taking do not change; we work on better positioning ourselves to deal with a third wave, irrespective of whether it is through Omicron or the current Delta variant that is endemic to Fiji.

Effectiveness of vaccines: While there is ongoing effort to understand the impact of this variant on vaccines, it is important to understand that vaccines remain critical to reducing severe disease and death, including against the dominant circulating variant, Delta. Current vaccines remain effective against severe disease and death. It should be noted that South African states are poorly vaccinated compared to Fiji, and all our COVID safe measures are proven to work in reducing transmission especially within a highly vaccinated population. We are continuing our efforts to vaccinate all our children 12 to 17 years and providing booster doses to front liners and vulnerable persons.

The severity of disease: There is preliminary data suggesting increased rates of hospitalization in South Africa, but this may be due to increasing overall numbers of people becoming infected, rather than a result of a specific infection with Omicron.  South Africa and the nearby region is a poorly vaccinated region and an increase in transmission of COVID 19, whatever the variant, will result in an increase in the number of hospitalization. Understanding the impact of the Omicron variant on disease severity, especially in the vulnerable, will take days to several weeks.

Effectiveness of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection: There are early data to suggest that people who have previously had COVID-19 could become re-infected more easily with Omicron, as compared to other variants of concern, but the information is limited. More information on this will become available in the coming days and weeks.

Effectiveness of current tests: The PCR tests used in Fiji continue to detect infection, including infection with Omicron. Concerns on the impact on other types of tests, including rapid antigen detection tests remain under study.

Effectiveness of current treatments:   Standard treatments (including Corticosteroids – Prednisone) that we have in Fiji will still be effective for managing patients with severe COVID-19.

We are being encouraged to continue to implement effective public health measures to reduce COVID-19 circulation overall, using risk analysis and a science-based approach. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is continuing to improve public health and medical capacities to manage an increase in cases. As such the remodeling of the health service provision will continue its current focus on:

1. Community surveillance through test trace and track protocols is being escalated to help us identify and contain any outbreak early.
2. Registration and line listing of vulnerable persons especially in poorly vaccinated areas has been done;
3. Preparations for the monitoring of positive cases and vulnerable persons to ensure better access to appropriate care plans has been made;
4. Clinical care protocols for the severe disease has been reviewed and strengthened;

This new variant is a reminder that for as long as there is a pandemic, Fiji will continue to face a threat from the virus and its variants. If transmissible enough, stringent border and community measures will only delay the inevitable entry and spread of current and future variants of the COVID 19 Virus. Fiji citizens will only be safe if we remain COVID-safe with 2-meter physical distancing; mask wisely by carrying a mask when you out of your home and wear the mask properly in public indoor spaces, public service vehicles, and outdoor crowded spaces; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; keep hands clean; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue, and get vaccinated when it’s your turn.

Supporting School Re-opening

COVID-19 poses a lower risk to children however secondary transmission from young school-age children can and does occur in both household and school settings. Whilst our vaccination program of children is ongoing, it is important that we appreciate that all our community-based COVID safe measures are important measures to ensure the safe return of our children to school. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is concerned about the adverse impact that school closure is causing to the mental and physical health of our children, and also to our medical programs in schools. In much the same way that we need to be COVID safe to help keep our borders open we also need to be COVID safe to help open our schools and keep them open.

Fijian Government Steps-up entry conditions for red list countries in response to Omicron variant

The Fijian Government has strengthened its strict conditions for entry for incoming travelers from red list countries in response to the newly-reported Omicron variant of COVID-19.

“We’re monitoring the Omicron variant closely as it has been shown to carry significant mutations that could spell higher rates of transmissibility and virulence. We commend South Africa on identifying and publishing the first information on this new variant. So far, field evidence does suggest higher transmissibility. However, more study is needed to determine if transmissibility is truly increased if the variant is less responsive to natural and vaccine-induced immunity and if the disease caused by the variant is more severe,” said Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr. James Fong.

“The process of risk assessment for our red list and Travel Partner Countries (TPC) was developed with the knowledge that new variants of the virus were highly likely to be detected. It analyses factors such as country vaccine coverage and rates of community transmission. We will continue to rely on that assessment process moving forward.”

For Fijians located in red list countries, which have always included the Southern African States, the measures for incoming travelers are as follows:

1. Travelers must be fully vaccinated with one of Fiji’s approved vaccines;
2. Travelers must undergo escalated pre-departure protocols, which include self-isolation for the five days prior to travel under the oversight of the employer or sponsor and test negative on day 5 and within 72 hours prior to departure; and
3. On arrival to Fiji, the quarantine period for travelers from red list countries will increase to 14 days with a PCR test done on arrival on day 5 and day 12.

The Fijian Government will maintain the entry conditions for all arrivals from Travel Partner Countries, which include requirements such as full vaccination with an approved COVID-19 vaccine, a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken 72 hours prior to departure, a 3-night stay in a Care-Fiji Certified hotel, and an additional COVID-19 test on Day 2 after arrival.

The preference of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is that travelers from red list countries go to a listed TPC for ten days prior to traveling to Fiji. However, given some international border restrictions, particularly in Southern Africa, we understand some Fijian citizens and residents may need to book travel directly to Fiji.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide advice on a process for the public to help us by providing information on citizens in Southern Africa so those citizens can be registered and assisted to adhere to the strict conditions for entry.

“This new variant is a reminder that for as long as there is a pandemic, Fiji will continue to face a threat from the virus and its variants. The most important step every Fijian can take in response to this variant is to become fully vaccinated and encourage others around us to do the same. We have one of the highest rates of vaccine coverage in the world –– but Fiji is safest when we achieve as close to 100% coverage as possible. And we must continue to adhere closely to the other health protection measures we know can limit the spread, including good handwashing, mask-wearing, and physical distancing.”

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is currently establishing genomic sequencing capacity within the Fiji Centre for Disease Control to process any positive samples of concern.

The Ministry is currently administering booster doses to front-line health officials and will soon deploy booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines to vulnerable members of the public.