All containment borders in Viti Levu will be lifted once 60 per cent of Fijian citizens are fully vaccinated.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama made the announcement while revealing Government’s plan to responsibly ease some of the health protection measures in place.

He also announced that curfew hours all over Viti Levu would begin from 7pm to 4am effective from  Monday, August 23, 2021.

As of today, 92.6 percent of eligible adults in Fiji – 543,318 individuals in total – have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

40 percent of Fiji’s target population is fully vaccinated.

Mr Bainimarama said it puts Fiji on track to smash the goal of fully vaccinating 80 percent of adults in Fiji by the end of October.

Here’s the plan outlined y Mr Bainimarama:

• Once 50 percent of the  target population are fully vaccinate, the curfew start time will be 8 pm;
• Fully vaccinating 60 percent of our target population will move the curfew start time to  9 pm and lift the containment area borders in Viti Levu;
• At the 70 percent threshold, the curfew will start at 10 pm,
• Once 80 percent of the target population are fully vaccinated, the curfew will start at 11 pm.

Mr Bainimarama maintained that throughout the gradual rollback, the end time of the curfew will remain 4 am.

He warned that widespread violations of COVD-19 health protection measures will force Government to to review and even reset the rollback.

“Just because we plan to shorten the curfew hours does not give anyone a free pass to disregard any of our other health protection measures. Unless announced otherwise, they will all remain in place.

“Do not start party planning. Do not arrange for grog sessions after work or carelessly share cigarettes, or forget to wear your mask, or violate physical distancing.

“Do not let these extra hours cost us our vigilance – they should only be used for essential travel.”

While Government’s aim is to fully restore freedom of movement and association, lifting the curfew will be considered carefully.

“There are not normal times.

“But the decision to lift the curfew altogether can only be taken when we have sustained time periods with very few deaths due to the virus. Just the same, other relaxations, including the re-opening of certain businesses and allowances for social gatherings, will be announced in step with the best available science.

“I cannot emphasise enough: all of this depends on more Fijians getting both jabs of the vaccine. We are doing well. Very few countries have matched the pace of our vaccine administration. That is reason to be proud, but not reason to be satisfied. We are not in competition with other countries –– we are in competition against COVID-19, and our victory must be decisive.”

Police earlier today issued a warning to those still breaking COVID-19 protection measures.

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