Masked and standing at socially acceptable distances, scores of people lined up in Suva to redeem the $90 they received as part of Government assistance to help needy people in the lockdown.

Lines stretched to almost 200 metres in some places. Police officers patrolled to ensure COVID safe measures were being practiced.

This was the scene around the country, not only in Suva.

As of May 14, the $90 assistance was provided to over 118,000 households with a total payout of $10.6 million.

This included around 37,000 households in the Nadi Lautoka containment area and 81,000 households in the Lami, Suva, Nasinu, Nausori containment area.

Government also worked with Fiji National Provident Fund to bring forward the Phase Two unemployment assistance payments for 37,000 recipients. Out of this, 31,000 is paid by the Government. The payment was scheduled to be due next week but was brought forward so members could fund before the lockdown.

Many like Vasemaca Drotini, 25, a single mother from Vatuwaqa wanted the money to shop and ensure that she had enough food in the house until the end of lockdown.

Loyal Singh, 22, of Tamavua, works for a garment retail outlet in Suva and has been without work for two weeks.

He said the closure of non-essential businesses meant that his employer was not able to pay them for the time the store was closed.

He said the $90 would provide him money to help boost the family food stock and have some spare for emergencies.

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