Protest Against Coral Coast Quarantine Facilities Request

Village members along the Coral Coast staged a protest at the Votualailai Village yesterday.

They did not agree with requests made by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services a few days ago in setting the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and Blue West Villas in Maui Bay as quarantine facilities.

Village headman, Viliame Rasova said their district heads had questioned the setting up of the quarantine centres in the green zones when resorts in the red zones could be facilitated.

“We disagree with the idea of setting these quarantine facilities in our Tikina (district). The districts of Vusu, Komave, Korolevu and Koroinasau,” he said. 

“The outlet of the drainage waste system from these resorts goes out to the sea and this is where we fish from. If people who have been infected with this virus quarantine here, will it also affect us? 

“That is why we are protesting.”

SODELPA MP Inosi Kuridrani, who lives in Namatakula, said they were concerned because there was no consultation made from the Ministry. 

“Why is there no consultation from the MOH to let the villagers prepare themselves and be aware of what will be taken around us?”

“These villages have been faithful to the protocols set by the MOH and that is why we are keeping the Coral Coast free from COVID virus since it affected us last year.” 

General manager Outrigger, Darren shaw confirmed that the Ministry has postponed the request until further notice

Health minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said he would look into the matter.

Edited by Selita Rabuku

Edited by Selita Rabuku

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