Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum

Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has clarified the people of Lautoka who work for essential services can continue work as normal.

However, he stressed that it is important that they are within the confined area of Lautoka.

“If they do not live in the confined area of Lautoka, if for example I work for the Water Authority of Fiji in the Lautoka plant – it is within the confined area, but I live in Nadi and I travel every day to work – I can no longer go to Lautoka. I should therefore as announced by the Prime Minister report to WAF Nadi branch. There are of course not all companies that operate in Lautoka, have branches outside Lautoka in that case please stay at home. Get in touch with your employer. The Fijian government will be making further announcements in respect of that as to how those staff who actually need to stay home – how their absence from work will be treated.”

Essential businesses include air and rescue services, air traffic control services, civil aviation, telecommunication services, food and sanitary manufacturing plants, electricity services, emergency services, fire services, health and hospital services, lighthouse services, meteorological services, mine pumping, ventilation and winding, sanitary services, supply and distribution of fuel and gas, power, telecommunications, garbage collection, transport services and water and sewage services.

Sayed-Khaiyum says for people who do not live in the confined area of Lautoka, there are various protections under the Employment Relations Act and there are other mechanisms which will ensure that people will continue to get access to finance.

He says the government is also in talks with the Fiji National Provident Fund to discuss how members can access funds and how much they can access.

Sayed-Khaiyum also clarified that for the rest of Fiji people can still go to work and operate their businesses as normal.

“There has been however, an announcement made that there cannot be a gathering of 20 people or more, but this does not apply to work places. It only applies to social gatherings including religious gatherings because this is when people come to close contacts. For example if you go to the gym – generally people share the same chair and the same gym equipment which has the ability to pass on the mucus etc that the Dr actually highlighted.”