Prepare COVID safe workplaces: Dr Fong

The Ministry of Health is advising all workplaces and businesses to establish strategies to ensure personal COVID safe practices continue.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says as Fiji prepares for more industries and workplaces to open, the owners need to focus on improving ventilation and air quality to support their current COVID safe measures.

Doctor Fong says this needs to be monitored, improved, and escalated.

He adds there is increasing scientific evidence that improvement in ventilation and air quality in workplaces is necessary for a COVID safe working environment, while sanitization of all contact surfaces provides secondary support in reducing the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Doctor Fong highlighted maximizing natural ventilation by opening windows, doors, and vents when conditions allow, or mechanical ventilation using fans and ducts, or a combination of both is important.

He stresses any poorly ventilated spaces in the workplace must be identified and steps must be taken to improve fresh air flow in these areas.

The PS says the use of portable air cleaners with High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters in spaces with high occupancy or limited ventilation is strongly recommended.

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Fiji Airports ramps up its operation

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Fiji Airways, Qantas and Virgin Australia have started taking passenger bookings for December.

Fiji Airports acting Chief Executive, Isei Tudreu says they are working with these airlines to ensure a seamless and safe airport experience when borders re-open.

Tudreu says an important function will be slot management to ensure each flight is safely processed.

He adds Fiji Airports is regularly meeting with all the stakeholders to show the world that Fiji is ready to welcome passengers back.

Fiji Airports Chair, Geoffrey Shaw says they look forward to safely welcoming the returning international visitors under the new normal.

Fiji Airports is ramping up its Nadi International Airport operations in anticipation of the re-opening of the international borders.

Shaw says the Airport is accredited by Airports Council International and has been awarded the Airport Health Accreditation.

He adds this milestone and internationally accepted accreditation, confirms Nadi International Airport as a safe and desirable travel destination.

The entire international terminal is continuously disinfected and sanitized.

Shaw says the facilities and passenger processes are aligned and adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of travelers.

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Fiji Airports prepares to receive visitors

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Fiji Airports has been ensuring its processes and systems are up to date as it prepares to welcome visitors.

Operations Manager, Joe Grey says they are excited about having travellers come through the Nadi International Airport in November.

Grey says it will be challenging but they will be ready.

“We are so elated to be receiving that type of news and at the same time, it will also be challenging for. We are ensuring that our processes are all ready, our systems are in place and whether 6,000 or 60,000 bring it on, Nadi Airport is ready for you.”

Grey says vaccination rates will also be vital as it will provide a sense of security to visitors.

He adds, the Nadi International Airport is again hosting a drive-through vaccination campaign which will end on Friday.

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$50m in loans disbursed

Around $50m worth of loans have been approved under the $200m scheme announced in the 2021/2022 budget.

Economy Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says any Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise can go out and borrow from commercials banks at an interest rate of no more than 3.99 percent.

Sayed-Khaiyum says these borrowers do not have any interest nor principal payments for the first two years.

“They have to go through the approval process. Already $50m has been dispersed and another $50m is currently being assessed by the financial institutions. From my understanding, the Banks that have participated in it is HFC, Bank South Pacific, Bred Bank and Fiji Development Bank.”

The $200m working capital provided in the form of loans will help businesses to sustain themselves.

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Post Fiji business operations slowly bouncing back

Post Fiji Limited chief executive, Dr Anirudha Bansod says business is slowly bouncing back following the drastic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Bansod says their postal services in Kadavu were also affected in recent months after hundreds of COVID infections were recorded on the island.

He adds other aspects of the business has kept them going.

“We also got affected at the initial stage but our team has really done a great job who are serving customers all over Fiji. In terms of the business growth, we have a sudden growth of our EMS Courier as well as Freight Company. We can the demand has gone up.”

 Post Fiji plans to diversify its operations once everything returns to normal soon.

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Cruise companies preparing for visitor arrival

Two cruise companies in Nadi are already counting down the days, as they prepare to welcome guests.

South Sea Cruises Chief Executive, Brad Rutherford says they are receiving a lot of inquiries as the word spreads on Fiji opening to the world.Audio Player

“It’s an exciting time and Fiji has done amazing with our vaccination rates which have laid this platform and we are looking forward to doing what we do well and what we enjoy.”

Rutherford says they also invested in a new $3 million, 78 foot sailing catamaran which is on its way to Fiji.

He says they purchased the ship three years back and it will arrive just in time for when tourists return.

Captain Cook Cruises is also ready to set sail again in less than three weeks.

Director Alifereti Koroilavesau says they are aligning themselves under the COVID protocols.

“We still will be offering the same services but it will be modified in terms of how we serve the guests like for example we would be required to wear masks, hand gloves, and social distance because on a ship it’s a bit different.”

Both the staff of the cruise companies are also fully vaccinated.

Fiji Airports Prepares To Receive Visitors

Fiji Airports has been ensuring its processes and systems are up to date as it prepare to welcome visitors.

Operations Manager Joe Grey says they are excited about having travellers come through the Nadi International Airport in November.

Grey says it will be challenging but they will be ready.

“We are so elated to be receiving that type of news and at the same time, it will also be challenging for. We are ensuring that our processes are all ready, our systems are in place and whether 6,000 or 60,000 bring it on, Nadi Airport is ready for you.”

Grey says vaccination rates will also be vital as it will provide a sense of security to visitors.

He adds, the Nadi International Airport is again hosting a drive through vaccination campaign which will end on Friday.

Credit: FBC TV

Publish Date: 21/09/21

Fiji Airports Prepares To Receive Visitors

PICTURE CREDIT [JAWS300]

Fiji Airports has been ensuring its processes and systems are up to date as it prepare to welcome visitors.

Operations Manager Joe Grey says they are excited about having travellers come through the Nadi International Airport in November.

Grey says it will be challenging but they will be ready.

“We are so elated to be receiving that type of news and at the same time, it will also be challenging for. We are ensuring that our processes are all ready, our systems are in place and whether 6,000 or 60,000 bring it on, Nadi Airport is ready for you.”

Grey says vaccination rates will also be vital as it will provide a sense of security to visitors.

He adds, the Nadi International Airport is again hosting a drive through vaccination campaign which will end on Friday.

Credit: FBC

Publish Date: 21/09/21

Tourism Operators Urged To Prepare Now

MINISTER FOR TOURISM, FAIYAZ KOYA. [SOURCE: FIJIAN GOVERNMENT]

Tourism operators have been urged to continue devising attractive packages for our local markets in the coming weeks.

This as the containment zone borders in Viti Levu will be uplifted as we’ve surpassed our 60 percent full vaccination target.

Minister for Tourism, Faiyaz Koya held a virtual meeting with tourism operators yesterday to establish phases of reopening the sector domestically and internationally.

Koya says with the opening of local borders in Viti Levu, domestic travel will resume and re-ignite demand for the ‘Love our Locals Fiji’ campaign.

This was extremely successful prior to the second wave of the pandemic.

Koya highlights domestic tourism is a precursor to opening up internationally, adding operators need to ensure their properties are fully prepared and ready to welcome back visitors.

The Minister says the reopening of the sector domestically will provide the industry with an opportunity to adjust, focus and step up readiness with innovation and preparation.

He adds under the guidance of careFiji Commitment, stakeholders have been working hard to improve service quality and delivery of tourism products especially in terms of cleanliness, proper ventilation and safety – sending a strong message that Fiji is a safe and ideal destination.

Tourism Fiji also has plans to market Love our Locals 2.0 and will work closely with all industry partners and the Fijian Government to ensure its success.

Credit: FBC TV

Publish Date: 15/09/21

Thousands apply for credit guarantee scheme

The Fiji Development Bank has put a temporary pause to new applications for the Recovery Credit Guarantee Scheme.

FDB Chief Executive, Saud Minam says this is being done to allow the processing of the thousands of applications in the last 40 days.

Minam says they need to allow teams to concentrate efforts and resources on vetting more than ten thousand applications.

The CEO confirms they have so far processed more than 40% of the applications, disbursing $40 million to help thousands of Fijian businesses since August 2nd.

Minam says the response from customers to this Scheme has been remarkable, with an average of 300 applications received in a day.

He adds they are grateful to the government for the Scheme and the opportunity to assist in the recovery of the economy as the only development financial institution in Fiji.

The Bank will advise customers once it will resume receiving applications.

Credit: FBC TV

Publish Date: 13/09/21