Mask wearing when out in public places is the new norm and should be part of our daily lives, says Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.

Tui Macuata is encouraging northerners to continue to follow COVID-19 safety protocols of mask wearing, sanitising and to maintain social distancing.

He said this is to ensure that Vanua Levu is COVID-19 free because the risk of the transmission will be high once travel restriction measures for inter-island are lifted.

Vaccination

Ratu Wiliame has acknowledged relevant authorities for advocating the importance of vaccination and for also ensuring the availability of COVID vaccines for teenagers.

“It’s almost two years now and we have come this far, which means that mask wearing, and all other protocols, is part of our daily activities.

“At the end of the day it is about one’s obedience and adherence to the principles of maintaining the restrictions and requirements.”

Religious beliefs

Ratu Wiliame further said that he is aware that there are those who are expressing their religious beliefs by not getting vaccinated.

“No one in their sound mind would want to refuse the jab, considering the impacts of not being vaccinated.”

He said reality would surface when the new norm kicked in.

“The unvaccinated will be those faced with many challenges of the new norm, and they will make life hard for themselves,” he said.

Sunday worship

While he has welcomed the Prime Minister’s decisions to relax COVID-19 restrictions during Sunday worship, Ratu Wiliame says his village, Naduri, has been using a sound system to broadcast their Sunday service message.

He said this allows some families to listen from the comforts of their home while some can attend the church service at church.

Feedback: laisa.kabulevu@fijisun.com.fj