All vaccinated persons engaging in social gathering indoors still need to wear masks and observe COVID-safe measures.

This message has been reiterated by Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong even though government has eased COVID-19 restrictions and allowed social gatherings to take place.

“The major role of airborne transmission of SARS CoV 2 epidemics and the need for optimal ventilation to minimise this transmission risk has been increasingly recognized by public health experts,” Dr Fong said.

“This is the basis for our advice that vaccinated persons gathered indoors must be properly masked, with optimal ventilation for the room, and with 2 meter spacing between individuals remains the key protective measures.”

He said maintaining 2 meters of physical distancing is the critical public health measure in any outdoor gathering for any purpose.

“Mixing of vaccinated and unvaccinated persons remains a risk in any setting but more so in indoor gatherings, and should be adequately mitigated,” he said.

“It is the responsibility of those organising any indoor or outdoor gatherings to ensure that the gathering is COVID-safe.

“Making the gatherings COVID-safe needs to be the priority whatever the purpose of the gathering.”

Unvaccinated Children

To protect unvaccinated children during gatherings, he said hosts should ensure that age-eligible adults are vaccinated and the space where the event is hosted is well ventilated.

SARS CoV Endemic

Despite the high vaccination rate in Fiji, Dr Fong said the need to adhere to COVID-safe measures is key to avoiding future restrictions and lockdowns and to protect ongoing social and economic recovery efforts.

“The biggest threat to Fiji’s recovery plan will be to control the ongoing epidemic through our ongoing COVID-safe discipline.

“Of particular importance is the need for good ventilation in all social and workplace indoor gatherings, ensuring that all age-eligible individuals in these gatherings are vaccinated, and wearing a mask and facial coverings properly.

“For indoor settings, maximising natural ventilation by opening windows, doors, and vents when conditions allow (not posing a safety risk), or mechanical ventilation using fans and ducts, or a combination of both is important.

“Any poorly ventilated spaces must be identified and steps are taken to improve fresh air flow in these areas.”

Edited by Losirene Lacanivalu

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