Fiji in lockdown after first community-based transmission of COVID-19 in twelve months
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Fiji’s two largest cities are in lockdown after the first reported case of COVID-19 community transmission in 12 months. Health authorities have linked the case to a 53-year-old woman from Nadi who was in contact with a soldier in the country’s hotel quarantine system. Five more cases have since been detected.
Residents of Nadi and Lautoka went into lockdown early on Monday morning, and Fijians across the country have been advised to stay at home.
This potential second outbreak of COVID-19 comes at a challenging time for Fiji, as the country continues to rebuild and recover from the devastating tropical cyclones, Yasa and Ana. Many Fijians are also facing financial challenges, due to the travel restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic. Tourism typically contributes to at least 40 per cent of Fiji’s GDP and locals are struggling to make up the lost income.