Borders Open, Fijians Happy

29/10/2021

FELIX LESINAIVALU
 
Fijians were delighted to finally reunite with their families and businesses revived after the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainima­rama announced that domestic travel within Viti Levu.

Minibus driver, Kaveni De­lai who takes passengers from Suva to Lautoka said they were glad that the borders were open because now they would be able to earn more income.

“With many people already eager to return to their loved ones across the borders, this is a good time for us as van driv­ers to make the most out of it.”

Mr. Delai said the there was a huge loss during the lockdown as they could not operate as per normal but he was happy that the Fijian Government opened up the borders.

“We can see in the people’s faces that they are very happy to finally go home and see their families after five months of lockdown.”

“I am thankful to all the Fijians who got vaccinated in order for the national target of fully vaccinated people to be achieved.”

Nadroga lass, Ranadi Pickering, who was travel­ling to Lautoka with her cousin, said she was happy to finally see family members across the border.

“I would like to thank the Fijian Government for opening the borders for us to visit our families after a very long time.”

Ms. Pickering has been fully vaccinated and urges Fijians to also get the jab so that there will be more eases to the current curfew hours and restrictions.

She said she had been in contact with her family via social media such as video calls on messenger.

Prime Minister Bainimarama, while announcing the lifting of borders within Viti Levu said, “do­mestic travel will be open everywhere on Viti Levu however, inter-island travel, will remain highly controlled, including Vanua Levu. Until we achieve higher vaccination coverage in Vanua Levu and our outer islands”.

“Most us are doing what needs to be done to end this deadly outbreak, and that has put us on track to hit the 70 and 80 per cent thresholds for the full vac­cination of our target population faster than we ever dared to hope.”

Prime Minister Bainimarama added at the 70 per cent threshold, the curfew hours for Viti Levu were moved to 10pm to 4am. At 80 per cent threshold, the curfew will be from 11pm to 4am.