SUVA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's Health Ministry said on Monday that Fijians cannot afford to become complacent given that many countries are reporting a resurgence of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.
Fiji's Health Minister Ifereimi Waqainabete said lifting of COVID-19 restrictions will not mean that life will totally return to what it was before the pandemic, and for the time-being limitations will remain in some situations.
Waqainabete said local authorities will only remove restrictions when Fiji is free of the disease.
"What we have seen is that some countries had lifted its restrictions and the virus re-emerged. In Fiji, so far by lifting certain restrictions, we haven't had the reemergence of the disease and we hope we would be like that."
Fiji had recorded 18 cases of COVID-19, of which 14 have recovered. The first case in the island nation was a 27-year-old flight attendant of Fiji Airways who tested positive on March 19.
The minister said preventative measures from individuals, communities and the government must continue in order to ensure that all COVID-19 threats are removed.
"What we do know is that the virus may take some time to be able to shed itself from the human body and those who have the disease."
The lockdown in the Muslim League Settlement in Nabua, Suva, the capital of Fiji and the Soasoa Settlement outside Labasa in Vanua Levu, Fiji's second largest island was eased on Saturday.
Vunicagi Settlement in Dreketi, Bua also on Vanua Levu with just over 20 houses remains in lockdown.
Currently, Fiji has arrested more than 2,000 people for violating the restrictions.
Fiji's Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho said with the beginning of another week, police are hoping the high number of arrests made in relation to sporting activities last week will not be repeated. Enditem
