PRIME MINISTER VOREQE BAINIMARAMA SPEECH AT A TALANOA SESSION AT LEDRUSASA SETTLEMENT

The Hon Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Local Government, Housing and Community Development;
Representatives from the various Ministries and Government Departments;
Special Administrator and CEO of Nadi Town Council;
Members of the Ledrusasa Community;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
 
Bula vinaka, and a very good evening to you all.
 
I’m here in Ledrusasa today to speak with you all –– and hear out your needs –– as Fiji works to protect our people from an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
 
Fijians living in informal settlements will play a critical role in preventing the spread of this disease. This is a highly-contagious virus, and our informal settlements like Ledrusasa –– by their very nature –– are particularly vulnerable to an outbreak.
 
But this isn’t a time to be scared; rather, it is a time to educate yourselves, start practising life-saving precautions now, and help Fiji contain COVID-19 if and when we see a case. Because while we have yet to see a confirmed case on our shores, we are in the minority; most countries and territories on Earth now are actively combating the disease.
 
Here in Fiji, we’re taking aggressive action to fight COVID-19 before it strikes. We’ve closed our borders to travellers from the most high-risk areas of the globe, including mainland China, South Korea, Iran, Italy and Spain, and banned cruise ships from docking in Fiji.
 
We are strongly discouraging all Fijians from traveling overseas to anywhere in the world, and have taken measures to strengthen checks at our ports of entry. International events are now prohibited in Fiji, and local events are closed to all guests coming in from overseas.
 
Take comfort in knowing that every single hour of every day, we have a task force dedicated to closely monitoring the situation, constantly considering new measures to keep Fijian families safe. We’re rooting out possible vulnerabilities in every corner of Fijian society to find ways to strengthen our defences.
 
That’s why I’m here in Ledrusasa, to talk to you all about how you can play a crucial part in our nationwide efforts to fend off COVID-19. Our informal settlements pose a unique challenge, because you don’t have the same luxury of personal space that many families in the highly-developed world have.
 
There are often multiple families living under the same roof, sharing the same sleeping areas, and using the same washrooms.
 
For that reason, your participation in our efforts to prevent an outbreak are absolutely critical. There are some basic things you need to know on how you can be a champion against coronavirus –– and that’s why the team from the Ministry of Health and I are here with you today.
 
The single most important thing that any of you can do is to wash your hands regularly with soap and water for a full 20-seconds each go.
The combination of soap and water kills COVID-19 dead in its tracks. You should also avoid touching your face as much as possible. And limit your person-to-person contact as much as you can.
 
That’s easy to say, but it can be difficult to put into practice. I still find myself having to remember not to shake hands when I meet people in-person; as I’ve done my entire life. But we all need to start thinking about our personal interactions more seriously. Do not share takis or bilos. Instead of hugging or shaking hands, share a “bula” from a safe distance. Even among family and close friends.
 
I’m calling on all Fijians to limit in-person interaction to a safe distance. But there are other ways we build bridges of togetherness in the face of this pandemic. Our unity cannot run in short supply in the face of this challenge, only by working together, by educating each other and by openly sharing ideas and concerns can we ensure that every Fijian is cared for and kept safe. 

COVID-19 is especially dangerous because of its ability to hide unseen in young, seemingly-healthy people. Even those who aren’t showing symptoms may be carriers of the virus –– so while a child or young adult may feel like they’re okay to come into contact with older, more vulnerable people in their community, they may very well be risking the lives of those they love.
 
That’s why I ask that all Fijians –– regardless of their age or whether they’re feeling ill –– to practise basic, preventative measures like washing your hands and staying a safe distance from others. It’s not just about your own health; it’s about our most vulnerable neighbours and family members who we need to protect.
 
Government will also soon commence work to set up community-based isolation facilities for people who, in an outbreak scenario, may be mildly sick.
 
This will help to limit the contact of vulnerable people with people who may have the disease –– and based on experience in other countries, this step is showing this is critical to slowing spread of the disease. We will issue further information on what this means over the coming days.
 
This pandemic does not only threaten lives, but livelihoods as well.
 
As I speak, our teams at the Ministry of Economy are in over-drive preparing a COVID-19 Response Budget to fund vital work to protect our people’s well-being, and provide a measure of relief to all those feeling the economic crunch this virus is having on the world economy. We’re still listening and learning how we can best target our support  – the full budget announcement will take place on the 26th of March.
 
Before we begin our Talanoa, if there’s one thing you take away from today, I want it to be this: By forgoing that handshake or hug, or taking 20 seconds to wash your hands with soap and water, you may very well be saving a life. I ask you this, not just as your Prime Minister, but as a fellow Fijian who is concerned for the health of our nation.  Do it for the vulnerable. Do it for Fiji.
 
Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you.
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