Cargo Ship Crews To Be Closely Monitored: Karan
“International cargo ships will be allowed in Fiji, we are monitoring the situation very closely,” Mr Karan said.
Wednesday 18 March 2020 | 19:43
Only cargo ships will be allowed into the country and not cruise vessels.
Office of the Prime Minister and Immigration Permanent Secretary Yogesh Karan made the statement yesterday in Suva.
This followed Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s directive on Sunday banning all cruise vessels berthing anywhere in Fiji due to World Health Organisation’s declaring Coronavirus also known as COVID-19 a pandemic.
Related stories
There is no confirmed case of COVID-19 in Fiji.
Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister, Yogesh Karan said they were taking every precaution measure.
“International cargo ships will be allowed in Fiji, we are monitoring the situation very closely,” Mr Karan said.
“The screening will include everyone on board; cargo vessels don’t carry a large number of crew members. Majority remain onboard and offload cargo and then out. They will also be screened and all the rules will apply to them.”
Mr Karan added that they have also advised embassies and high commissions.
“On the functioning of our embassies and high commissions around the world, all heads of missions have been advised. The discretion is theirs wherever they are based and to follow their rules and regulations very carefully. If they want to put a shutdown then they should likewise do so,” he said.
“We have asked our mission is Geneva for a lockdown which means that the ambassador and everyone are working from home and there are no visits to the office and that applies to all Fiji missions.
“We have asked them to take extra precaution around this time and if the country they are at calls for a lockout then they should simply follow.”
Feedback: wati.talebula@fijisun.com.fj
