There is no travel restrictions to Koro Island.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has clarified a report in the Fiji Sun newspaper today regarding travel restrictions to Koro Island.

Our report stemmed from a Ministry of Health memorandum obtained by our reporter.  The Ministry of Health was contacted yesterday for confirmation. A spokesperson said a statement regarding the issue would be released today.

Here is the statement released by the Ministry.

“The Ministry of Health and Medical Services wishes to state that there is NO TRAVEL RESTRICTION to Koro Island.  Instead, the Ministry wishes to advise that people must realize the extent of damage to the island which can put people’s health at risk.

“People need to plan well and take precautionary measures while visiting the affected areas. Meanwhile, the Ministry will continue to work closely with NDMO in close monitoring of the situation on the ground.

“There is no need for a memorandum of approval from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to travel to Koro or any other destination.”

In the aftermath of TC Winston, there has been widespread destruction of homes, toilet facilities and water supply. This situation make communities vulnerable to communicable diseases such as typhoid fever and diarrhoeal diseases General disease preventative advice after a disaster is to use safe drinking water by boiling, wash hands before cooking, eating and feeding young children and after using toilets.