National Fiji Day celebrations this year will be observed on a small scale keeping in mind the social and economic impacts of COVID-19.

This was stated by the President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote while speaking to students of Levuka Public School on Friday.

President Konrote, who visited schools and heritage sites, led a delegation to promote Government’s tree planting initiative, wellness programme and gardening.

Days before Fiji commemorates 50 years of independence, he said it was only proper that he visit Levuka where it all began.

“We have come a long way since 1970. We are counting down to October 10 and as you know COVID-19 has changed the way we do things and sadly because of the social and economic impact the celebrations this year had to be scaled down,” President Konrote said.

He thanked Fijians for supporting the Government’s initiatives and pledged to plant more trees to help achieve the target of planting 35 million trees in the next couple of years.

Students were encouraged to stay healthy and fit, eat sensibly and exercise daily as too many Fijians are succumbing to high blood pressure, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.

“We eat to live, we don’t live to eat,” he said.

“Once you study and try to progress academically don’t forget your relationship with the land, at some stage we will all have to go back to the village.”

“One good thing that COVID-19 has done to humanity is it has forced us back to the land. We are blessed with very fertile soil so it’s up to us to utilise the land.”

“COVID-19 has changed the way we live and do things from now on whether we like it or not. The new norm is us changing the way we interact and live as a community and look after one another.”

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua

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