The quarantine period for COVID-19 has been extended to 28 days.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama confirms this step is being taken after reports that the virus can remain with individuals for a longer period than earlier anticipated.

This applies to anyone who is newly quarantined, and those who are serving out their initial 14 day period.

Those who have ended their quarantine period will not go back into isolation but will be monitored by health ministry officials.

“So, for example, if you are on day seven of your quarantine, you will remain in quarantine for 21 more days. Anyone whose quarantine has ended will not go back into quarantine, but they will continue to be monitored by the Ministry of Health until they meet the full 28-day threshold”.

In other parts of the world, a number of people who had been cleared of COVID-19 were later found to still be carrying the disease after the 14 day period.

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