High risk businesses in Labasa and Savusavu will be closed from today.

These are gyms, movie theatres, video gaming shops, cyber cafes, taverns, bars, billiard shops and amusement arcades.

Also included are hairdressing salons, barber shops, spas, beauty therapy, massage therapy venues, saunas and tattoo parlours.

Labasa Chamber of Commerce and Industries president, Satish Kumar, cleared the confusion yesterday after discussion with the Fiji Police Force.

Mr Kumar said all high risk business as stated by the Permanent Secretary of Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong had to be closed in Fiji.

This included the Northern Division.

He said he understood business operators have complained that business should continue as normal in the Northern Division because there were no COVID-19 case.

However, instructions must be followed otherwise be prepared to pay the fine, he said.

Special administrator of Labasa and Savusavu towns, Ami Kohli, said both councils have printed out the gazette and list of businesses that need to be closed and distributed it to business operators in both towns yesterday.

Mr Kohli urged members of the public to call 158 or Police on 917 if they see anyone breaching the COVID-19 protocols or curfew.

Dr Fong’s earlier mentioned that the nature of these businesses means they cannot operate with proper COVID-19-safe protocols, including enforced physical distancing of two meters.

“They should all be closed everywhere in Fiji,” Dr Fong said.

“We expect to see employers and businesses put careful thought into COVID-19 safe operations plans.”

Edited by Losirene Lacanivalu 

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