Fiji has made changes to its Blue Lanes entry requirements amid the Covid-19 pandemic
The Port Denarau Marina in Nadi. Photo: Supplied/Port Denarau Marina
If you are planning to arrive in Fiji through its Blue Lanes initiative, the authorities have made changes to the entry requirements.
The Blue Lanes were launched in July last year to lure yachties and boatowners seeking to escape the winters abroad.
Visitors were allowed to quarantine on their vessels out at sea for 14 days before being approved entry.
Despite the Covid-19 outbreak, now spread to the country's remote islands, the government is optimistic international travel will resume in November when an 80 percent vaccination rate is achieved.
The only exemptions would be "a few emergencies."
Port Denarau Marina's chief executive, Cynthia Rasch, said entry into Fiji now would only be approved for fully vaccinated crew and passengers.
Rasch said those travelling to Fiji under the Blue Lanes initiative would have to produce a copy of their vaccination card highlighting both their first and second doses and undergo a two-week waiting period for maximum efficacy.
"For those who are already in Fiji, it is encouraged that you get vaccinated as you may be refused service or turned away from some businesses based on this requirement," she said.
"These requirements may also be put in place by outer islands. A VAX-Check tool will soon be utilised to verify patron or customer details, once consent has been confirmed.
"If consent is not confirmed, entities are not to provide any services accordingly. The requirement for fly-in crew (coming in now) is for them to be vaccinated and clear the usual 14-day quarantine requirement at a designated facility prior to joining the vessel.
"If they come in with the vessel, the usual standard protocols still apply (no changes). The only difference being they must be vaccinated and proof provided beforehand.
"When sending in applications (henceforth) you must also send in details of your vaccination," said Rasch.
Front-line workers on their way to swab villagers in remote Fiji. Photo: Fiji Health Ministry
107 new cases, seven deaths in past 24-hours
After four straight days of double-digits, Fiji has reported 107 new cases of Covid-19 in the community for the last 24 hours.
This takes the total number of cases to 12,859.
The Government also confirmed seven deaths, all aged between 54 and 95.
Four of the victims had died at home. The death toll now stands 631, with 629 of them from the latest outbreak that began in April this year.
"There have also been 14 deaths of Covid-positive patients," Health Secretary James Fong said. "However, these deaths have been classified as non-Covid deaths by their doctors. The doctors have determined that these deaths were caused by a serious pre-existing medical condition and not Covid-19.
"We have also recorded 492 Covid-positive patients who died from the serious medical conditions that they had before they contracted Covid-19; these are not classified as Covid-19 deaths.
"There are currently 81 Covid patients admitted to the hospital - 39 are at the Lautoka Hospital and 42 are admitted at the CWM, St Giles and Makoi hospitals. There are patients in severe condition and three critical."
Of the latest cases announced on Friday night, seven were recorded on the remote islands.
Five cases were recorded in the villages of Muani and Namalata on Kadavu Island in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases there to 582.
Front-line workers at the swab drive-through in Vunimono, Nausori. Photo: Ministry of Health, Fiji
"Of these, 556 cases have recovered and the remaining 26 active cases are under daily monitoring by the health team," Dr Fong said. "Risk assessment revealed that 5 active cases are in the high-risk category and 21 in the low category.
"Seven patients are currently admitted at Vunisea Hospital, of which 2 are Covid-positive and currently in stable condition, while 5 are negative for Covid-19.
"Vaccination continues by the Vunisea health teams and the Kaval health teams. Movement restrictions remain in force supervised by the Police team and the Vanua."
Dr Fong said two new cases were reported on Malolo Island in the west.
Of the total of 89 cases, 57 have recovered and 32 remain active, he said.
Dr Fong said the daily monitoring continues for the active cases and their contacts.
"Vaccination of the villagers and distribution of food rations continue for the affected families. Movement restrictions remain in place.
"To date, 592,628 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 454,474 have received their second doses. Based on our updated total population of 618,173 people aged 18 years and over (adults), the revised vaccination coverage rates are 95.9% for adults who have received at least one dose, and 73.5% are now fully vaccinated nation-wide.
"Please do note that since dose one is beyond 95%, a verification exercise for dose one is ongoing which may result in minor changes.
"As for the children, 17,996 of them have received their first dose of the vaccine as of 24 September, 2021. We will be tracking our vaccine coverage rates once we have firmed up our 15 to 17-year-old denominator."
The 15 to 17-year-old vaccination program will resume on Monday, Dr Fong said.