The Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport will be increasing its footprint on the ground to ensure COVID-safe protocols are met.

This was reiterated by Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Faiyaz Koya to tourism stakeholders.

Mr Koya was speaking at the Tourism Fiji 2022 opening webinar yesterday.

He said this would be a joint taskforce with the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission, Fiji Police Force and Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

“We need more businesses to become COVID-Safe compliant,” he said.

“So my main message this morning is that we shouldn’t compromise the health and safety of our visitors, staff and Fijian communities over profits.

“When you received your Care Fiji Commitment certification and your Permit to Operate – you took on the responsibility to fulfil that commitment.

“That means, all of you here have a duty of care. You have a duty of care to:

• maintain isolation rooms
• ensure your guests are tested on time
• ensure your frontline staff too are tested regularly
• communicate with them regularly
• ensure that you, your staff, and your guests adhere to the strategy of vaccination plus COVID Safe behaviour. By now, masks should be part of your uniform.”

He reminded industry stakeholders to keep upholding the Bula spirit because that was what set Fiji apart from its competitors.

“These are, and will remain the very fundamental part of your daily business. It has to be if we are to remain open and continue receiving guests,” Mr Koya said.

“I take this opportunity to also acknowledge the Working Group that has been working with the COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Taskforce (CRMT) supporting our safe re-opening.”

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