COVID-19 TIMELINE

  • 21 January, Health Ministry issued alerts to border security and screening officials to be on the lookout for persons arriving into the country from China, Thailand and Japan displaying flu-like symptoms after overseas media announced the deaths of three people from a mysterious virus in China. Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said Fiji was being proactive and cautious following the outbreak of a coronavirus in Wuhan City, China, where 170 people were hospitalized, including nine in critical condition. “Our border staff are on the alert for arrivals from these three countries who may display u-like symptoms,” he said. “We have our alerts out and we are talking to WHO (World Health Organization).” Dr Waqainabete called on anyone who may have u-like symptoms to present themselves to the nearest hospital or health centre as a precautionary measure.
  • 28 January, Minister for Health Dr.Wagainibete says Fiji will not shut its borders 
  • 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.[1] Measures to maintain a hygienic environment and screening ill passengers will continue to be taken in-flight to further minimise any risk.[2]
  • 13 February, FBC reported that an Australian tourist on a cruise liner in Lautoka had died of pneumonia. It was confirmed that a 63-year-old Australian tourist who was evacuated from a cruise liner in Lautoka on Monday, and admitted to the Lautoka Hospital, had died from Pneumonia on Tuesday morning.  The local shipping agent, for the vessel Voyager of the Seas confirmed the deceased did not have any symptoms of Coronavirus. Meanwhile, COVID-19 causes pneumonia that leads to death!! Fiji’s first case of COVID-19 and death.
  • 27 February, Fiji extended its travel ban and announced that travelers 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.[3]
  • 11 March, Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete says Fiji borders are still open to Australia and New Zealand and there are no plans yet to shut down our borders to Australia and New Zealand amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the two countries.
  • 15 March, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama 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.[4]
  • 16 March, Health Minister says no confirmed cases in Fiji
  • 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. [5] 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.[6]
  • 20 March, all schools and non-essential businesses in Lautoka had been closed at midnight, however banks, supermarkets, pharmacies and essential businesses remained open.[7][8] 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.[9] 
  • 20 March, Fiji Airways stops 95% of its International flights until the end of May, with the exception of twice-weekly services between Singapore and Nadi.[10], implements leave without pay. 
  • 20 March, Lautoka City in Lock down. The government established two fever clinics in Lautoka.[11]
    20 March, The National Federation Party asks What laws are Police using to institute Lautoka city lock-down? NFP says the Commissioner of Police and his officers should use common sense in imposing restrictions on movement of Lautoka residents in and out of the restricted zone. NFP Leader Professor Biman Prasad says he has received many calls from people, mostly people of Lautoka, complaining about the arbitrary manner in which police manning the checkpoints are implementing the lock-down procedures. “There is definitely chaos and confusion in how the lock-down and testing procedures announced by the Prime Minister on Thursday are being imposed and implemented”.
  • 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.[12]
  • 21 March, Fiji Airways suspends flights, implements leave without pay. Fiji Airways will suspend all international flights until the end of May, with the exception of twice-weekly services between Singapore and Nadi. But flights continued to NZ and Australia!
  • 22 March, Passengers travelled into Fiji on Fiji Airways flight FJ360 from Singapore to Nadi are only advised to observe 14 days self-quarantine!
  • 23 March, Fiji confirmed its third case, a one-year-old nephew of the first patient.[13] 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.[14]
  • 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.[15] Fiji Airways had suspended all Singapore and Hong Kong flights after the two countries introduced its border restrictions.[16]
  • 25 March, Fiji confirmed its fifth case, a 31-year-old Fijian citizen from Lautoka. She was in contact with the first case, the flight attendant.[17] Bainimarama announced that Nadi International Airport will shut down from 26 March and all local shipping services will cease from 29 March.[18] Bainimarama says Fiji was now at war with COVID-19. And that Fijians must now act as if the enemy was in our midst at all times. “I’m going to keep saying this until everyone gets it: Fiji is at war with the coronavirus,” he said. But the enemy is in our midst, long before COVID-19 arrived, it’s the corrupt Bainimarama and Sayed-Sayed Khaiyum who have been looting Fiji’s resources and driving Fiji broke!
  • 25 March, Bainimarama says Suva will not shut down
  • 26 March, Attorney General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed- Khaiyum revealed the COVID-19 response budget that tells the people to use their own FNPF retirement fund savings as Government is broke! Yes broke, after govt has been proclaiming to Fiji and the world about their 10 years of unprecedented growth and prudent management by Fiji’s economy by the corrupt and lying AG Sayed-Khaiyum
  •  26 March, Nadi International Airport will shut down, yet flights continue!