There are rumours of people trying to cross waterways to get in and out of the confined areas of the COVID-19 restricted zone in Lautoka.

This was confirmed by the Commissioner of Police, Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho, yesterday during a press conference in Suva.

As a result, he said there would now be military presence at the banks of the Sabeto River to monitor this.

“We have arranged the military in the Lautoka area to monitor the inner banks of the Sabeto River to the seafront,” he said.

Technology will also be used to monitor areas that are otherwise impossible.

There are five checkpoints in Lautoka to control the movement of people in and outside the confinement area.

He further said: “There are relevant laws already in place for those who create panic and spread misinformation. The investigators are very much aware of the legislations, and that is what we are using.”

Brigadier-General Qiliho also ensured that fuel trucks had crossed the checkpoints because some fuel stations were running low.

“The Police are working closely with the consumer commission who are doing their surveys within the Lautoka area, the confined area, so that they can identify things that needs to be moved in,” he said.

Meanwhile, Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho said a woman was being questioned for allegedly spreading false information on social media about the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 after Government had made the announcement of the country’s first case.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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