SUVA, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Fiji and Tonga announced later Tuesday stricter measures to prevent COVID-19 from entering their countries.
According to a statement by Fiji's Department of Immigration on Tuesday night, the Fijian government has decided to widen existing travel restrictions to cover all foreign nationals who have been present in Spain within 14 days of their intended travel to Fiji.
The department said that from Wednesday, Fiji's borders will be closed to all foreign nationals who have been present in China, South Korea, Italy, Iran and Spain within 14 days of their intended travel to the island nation which has so far reported no confirmed cases of COVID-19.
All international air passengers will continue to be checked with handheld temperature scanners prior to entering Fiji, and their travel history and health status will be screened by the island border agents.
Fijians are also strongly urged to refrain from any non-essential overseas travel, and Fijians returning from the five above-mentioned countries are required to undergo mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival to the island nation.
"All Fijians travelling overseas should be aware, if a country they visit is added to our restricted travel list while they are abroad, they will also be required to undergo mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival back to Fiji," the department said.
Fiji, which has been closely monitoring the global COVID-19 pandemic, has warned that new countries may be added to its restricted travel list at any time.
On Sunday night, Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama announced that from Monday, cruise ships are not permitted to berth anywhere in Fiji. Government ministers, permanent secretaries, civil servants and statutory body staff members are not permitted to travel overseas barring exceptionally critical circumstances. International events have been banned and overseas guests are not permitted to participate in local events.
Meanwhile, Tonga also announced on Tuesday tougher measures for international travellers to the island nation.
The travel advisory applied by the Tongan government to countries that have more than 60 people with COVID-19 and where there is community transmission, as confirmed by WHO.
Tonga's Prime Minister Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa said that international travellers originating from or transiting through the listed countries such as the United States, Australia, Britain, Italy, China, Iran and South Korea (Daegu Province and Cheongdo County) are required to have spent at least 14-days self-quarantine outside of the listed countries.
They are also required to obtain a medical clearance three days prior to arrival to confirm travellers are free of symptoms of acute respiratory illness prior to departure from the last port of entry into the island nation.
All international cruise ships and yachts are also barred indefinitely from entering Tongan ports.
