Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete has expressed his disappointment at Fijians who are continuously breaching containment area protocols.

Dr Waqainabete said the ministry had received reports of people moving into non-containment areas from containment areas by crossing rivers while some had trekked through the highlands putting Fijians at risk.

He made the revelation in Parliament while responding to a question by SODELPA Member of Parliament, Aseri Radrodro, who had asked when the Sawani containment area borders would be lifted.

“So when we have reports that come through to our Ministry of Health from the commissioners, this is duly investigated and there are screening teams that are dispatched to these villages or settlements so  we can work with them,” he said.

Dr Waqainabete said the borders in Sawani would only be lifted when a measured assessment was done.

“The assessments of lifting of containment areas or movements from outside containment to non-containment, non-containment to containment is a very measured and strategically balanced assessment that not only includes health, but we are also guided by what is needed in terms of ensuring that we have trade and food security for Fijians in this area,” he said.

“We have done extensive screening outside of the containment area, the non-containment zones which include; Naitasiri, Tailevu and Navosa and many more that are in the non-containment area, including Rakiraki, which was lifted so that we have a greater insight into what could be happening in these areas.”

Feedback:  inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj