PM Bainimarama’s Statement on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus

Bula Vinaka.

I’d like to thank the Minister for Health Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete, the Country Director of the World Health Organisation, Dr Corinne Capuano, and Fiji’s Chief Medical Adviser, Dr Jemesa Tudravu, for joining me.

The Ministry of Health and Medical services has been carefully assessing the coronavirus outbreak in China’s Hubei Province. The situation is rapidly developing with new cases in Australia, the USA, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. In the short term, we expect more cases to be identified in additional countries.

There are no direct flights from Wuhan to Fiji. However, this outbreak is global in scale and Fiji is not immune to risk. This is why, since the inception of the virus in Wuhan, the Ministry of Health has been working directly with the World Health Organisation to implement appropriate, precautionary measures to protect the Fijian people.

The Fijian public can take comfort knowing that, from last week, enhanced monitoring has been instituted at Nadi International Airport. All passengers travelling from Hong Kong and Singapore have been met by health officers who have reviewed their health declarations and determined if they have recently travelled to the Hubei Province.

We’re working closely with our national carrier, Fiji Airways, to identify all at-risk travellers checking in at overseas ports. These travellers will be required to undergo thermal screening prior to boarding. Out of an abundance of caution, all cabin crew on flights to and from Hong Kong, Singapore and Narita will be taking extra precautions to ensure a hygienic environment. In emergency cases, on-board isolation measures can be undertaken by the flight crew. Working with the Ministry of Health, Fiji Airways will also introduce Special Health Declaration Forms at all Asian ports that will require guests to report if they have travelled through mainland China in the past 14 days. If appropriate, individuals will be quarantined. As the coronavirus situation unfolds overseas, further measures will be taken if deemed necessary.

As of today – 27 January — there are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Fiji. However, medical experts have revealed the disease can go undetected until symptoms appear, and as we have seen in the United States and elsewhere, it is virtually impossible to contain a virus across international borders. Therefore, we are anticipating and actively preparing for a case of the coronavirus in the country.

We are undertaking all necessary preparations to ensure we’re ready to aggressively identify, treat, investigate and contain the virus. Contingency plans are in place at our major health facilities and hospitals are stocking up on supplies to be able to respond effectively.

I’m urging all Fijians to do their part as well by practicing good hygiene to limit the likelihood of infection. Wash your hands with soap and running water. If you are ill, cover your nose and mouth with tissue when coughing or sneezing. Fijians should also not travel to the Hubei Province in China.

I am being given continuous updates from the Ministry of Health and will continue to personally monitor this situation and order more severe courses of action where necessary.

It is absolutely critical that we stick to the facts and strictly adhere to instructions and information provided by the World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Health. We will only release information once it has been confirmed by the relevant experts and authorities. Given this is a matter of national security, we cannot tolerate unfounded fear-mongering. Any manner of speculation is dangerous and counter-productive and should be condemned in the harshest terms.

As we saw with our successful containment of the measles outbreak in Fiji, our health system is well-equipped and highly capable of rapid response. If we keep our heads, come together, and act responsibly, we are fully capable of managing any cases of the coronavirus.

Thank you and God Bless.