Members of the public visiting healthcare facilities around Fiji must wear masks.

Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said this was to ensure they do not pass on the virus to vulnerable people visiting the hospitals.

Dr Waqainabete said healthcare workers were advised to wear masks while at work because there has been a surge in coronavirus cases recently.

“Healthcare staff cannot not sit on our roles; we will continue to work hard.”

“We are encouraging everyone to show their diligent responsibility like wearing masks if they have a cold,” he said.

“Obviously, the hospitals and the health facilities have their pathways in place that can look after those who are admitted for COVID-19.”

“We have had a few that have passed from the coronavirus pandemic but the most important thing to remember is that we keep on encouraging everyone to have their booster doses.

“This is the new normal. We still have some of the coronavirus restrictions in place, even though there are only a few, we must continue to work together.”

“The new normal needs to be accepted as there will be times where you need to put on the mask due to the surge in coronavirus cases,” he said.

There are also some prohibitions in place for people visiting relatives admitted in hospital.

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