Tui Tavua Ratu Nacanieli Uqeuqe has expressed anger and disappointment regarding the behaviour of the recently COVID-19 case in Tavua.

The man was alleged to have entered the confines of the village after being denied entry by authorities.

He tested positive for the virus and had since been transferred to the Lautoka Hospital.

Ratu Nacanieli said the man had returned from a funeral in Naitasiri and when he arrived at the checkpoint, he was told he could not go.

He alleged that the man then entered the village through another road, that was not guarded by the Police.

He said upon discussions with district level authorities; Police and health officials, a decision to put the village on a four-day lockdown was finalised.

“It is because of this that I was really angry because we have been trying to contain the virus.

“This is a village. I am very angry because this man also went to Lautoka, he just slept here in Tavua, drank kava then he left the day after to go to Lautoka this week or maybe two days ago,” Ratu Nacanieli said.

He said the 38 families who had arrived last week for a funeral were still under isolation at Tavua District Primary School.

The families are expected to be released tomorrow if they test negative.

“My plan is to let them join their families once they are released then the funeral can take place.

“We have two more deaths in Tavua, I’m not sure if they are Covid related or not. We’ve got everything we need but I am waiting for the families to be released.”

The Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Doctor James Fong said he was concerned about recurring incidents of individuals violating established protocols designed to prevent the spread of the virus.

Dr Fong said one individual travelled from Naitasiri and had a grog session with acquaintances in Tavua Village.

“With the support of Tui Tavua, we have facilitated a lockdown of Tavua Village for an initial 4 days,” he said.

He said all contacts would be screened and then a more targeted lockdown area in the village would be planned.

“Our non-containment zones are still at risk of being breached.”

He said Fijians living in non-containment areas must also act as if the virus was already in their communities by avoiding social gathering and observing the COVID safe protocols and guidelines the Ministry of Health had issued.

“That is the way we will get back to normal quickly,” he said.

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