A chief of Cakaudrove Province has pleaded with his people to limit the consumption of kava.

He said its overuse was not good for healthy living and its abuse also encouraged unnecessary gatherings.

Tui Wailevu, Ratu Jovesa Maivalili, agrees with what Ministry of Health and Medical Services Permanent Secretary Doctor James Fong has said about drinking kava being one of the significant factors in the spread of COVID-19.

He said people have misused the purpose of the yaqona consumption.

“If used properly, people can make a living out of it as it is gifted by God,” Ratu Jovesa said.

“If used for the purpose of relaxation by getting overdosed then it is wrong.”

He said many villagers were addicted and once people sat around to drink grog for long hours.

“It is not good for the body; you should support your body so that the body can support your work,” he said.

“If you don’t work, you will become poor and sick.

Imagine if there is a ban on drinking kava, there will eventually be more brain lockdowns than physical land boundary lockdowns.”

He said kava was not everything in life.

“People must use their common sense during this pandemic,” he said.

“During this lockdown people should reflect on their lives and as creative beings use the creative mind given by God to stop the spread of coronavirus.”

“I don’t waste time hanging around.

I just go to my farm and do what needs to be done for the family and district and that is it.”

He said there are 27 villages in the district of Wailevu.

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