The Ministry of Local Government is coordinating with the Municipal Councils in Nadi and Lautoka to ensure minimal disruptions to services provided during the restricted period of movement within the Containment Area.
Ratepayers are advised that solid waste management, grass cutting and drain cleaning will continue as normal.
Markets will be open in the 2 municipalities whereby COVID-Safe measures will be adhered to. The opening hours of the markets remain the same. The vendors and consumers are encouraged to follow COVID-safe protocols, including, physical distancing of 2 metres, use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks and face covering, use of sanitizers, and regular hand washing.
It is worth noting that the vendors are permitted to facilitate the movement of market produce from outside the Containment Area, which can be exchanged at the borders. All vendors and suppliers must ensure that while facilitating movement of goods, a person from Containment Area does not come in contact with a person from outside the Containment Area.
The Councils will assist the vendors and farmers if there are any issues faced at the borders. Both Councils understand the need to accommodate vendors who are not able to travel due to the border limitations. Vendors may contact Lautoka City Council on 6660433 and Nadi Town Council on 6700133 in this regard.
The Municipal Councils are required to take precautionary measures to ensure safety of all citizens during the limited movement period. The markets will be cleaned on a regular basis in line with the COVID-safe protocols and the market vendors are expected to maintain good hygiene practices, physical distancing of 2 metres, proper ventilation and use face PPE, at all times.
To support Fiji’s contact tracing efforts, all markets must require customers to have the careFIJI app downloaded with device Bluetooth turned on or register contact details at specified entry and exist points.
Minister for Local Government, Hon. Premila Kumar, emphasised on the need for adherence to safe protocols.
“As we’ve experienced and learnt last year, it’s only by following and adapting COVID-safe measures, that we can continue to serve and keep essential services like markets open for food security. There is a lot at stake so I urge every Fijian, every market vendor, and every Council to take heed of the necessary advisories and health and safety measures,” said Hon. Kumar.
In addition, the Municipal Councils have identified areas to decentralise the main markets around their municipalities. This will be done based on the demand and the need by the vendors and the users of the markets during the 14-day restriction period. Vendors may contact Lautoka City Council on 6660433 and Nadi Town Council on 6700133 in this regard.
Vendors will be advised to contact the respective Councils to occupy the areas identified for selling their produce in due course.
Furthermore, the Councils will be monitoring the supermarkets within the Containment Area to ensure the COVID-safe measures are adhered to. For those businesses that need more information on the COVID-safe protocols and measures, you can access the Fijian COVID Safe Economic Recovery Framework.
The Councils have also made provision for spaces for fever clinics to assist the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, should the need arise.
The Ministry of Local Government would like to reiterate that vendors and farmers are required to comply with the restrictions during this period to ensure a safe and secure environment.