Suva, Fiji - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji and the Fijian Government, through the Ministries of Economy and Health and Medical Services, have sealed a new partnership to ensure the adequate quarantining and monitoring of returning Fijian citizens are effectively implemented.

As part of the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic, this new partnership will allow the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to detect and treat any possible COVID-19 patients securely in quarantine facilities. The mandatory quarantine for 14 days will remain, during which the Ministry will review and monitor any medical issues including dental and non-communicable disease.

Following the 14-day period, these individuals will be tested for COVID-19. Upon confirmation of a negative test result, the said persons will be directed into home quarantine for another 14-day period. Once they are cleared by the authorized Health officials, these individuals are free to go to work, school, etc., Any individuals who register positive COVID test results will immediately be sent to an isolation facility for further treatment, monitoring and continued care.

The UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Resident Representative, Levan Bouadze said “this support will assist the Fijian Government through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in terms of adequate quarantines to prevent its (pandemic) spread to the community.”

“Defeating this pandemic is the ultimate aim and UNDP will look at ways to help countries to better prevent and manage such pandemics. UNDP’s support will also help ensure that the responses of individual countries such as Fiji, are comprehensive as well as equitable and inclusive, so that no one is left behind and countries can continue to progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” Bouadze added.

"Fiji's COVID-safe travel protocols allow us to welcome back returning citizens without jeopardizing the COVID-Contained status we've worked diligently to achieve. This is a global pandemic that demands stronger bridges of global cooperation to overcome, and we're grateful for the UNDP's support towards returning Fijian citizens home safely at no direct cost to them," said Fijian Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

The US$200,000 funds provided by the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, will be used to keep returning citizens in isolation in designated hotels, supervised by authorized health personnel (doctors and nurses) and officials of the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces to monitor the health status or possible symptoms of COVID-19. It will also be used to pay accommodation costs, meals for these repatriated citizens and meal allowances for the medical personnel.

For additional information, please contact:

Emily V. Moli, Knowledge Communications Analyst, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji – emily.moli@undp.org or phone: +679 3227 504 Twitter: @emily_moli