Fiji Parliament Closed As Virus Numbers Climb
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published June 09, 2021 | 09:10 AM
Suva, Fiji, June 9 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jun, 2021 ) :Fiji's parliament has been forced to close as Covid-19 cases surge in the South Pacific country, overwhelming quarantine facilities and prompting calls for a nationwide lockdown.
After a staffer was found to be a close contact of a positive case, speaker Epeli Nailatikau said the legislative buildings in the capital Suva were shut.
"As a precautionary measure and out of an abundance of caution, the parliamentary precincts and offices will be closed with immediate effect," he said in a statement Tuesday.
Fiji went a full year without recording any community cases until April, when a second wave of infections hit. New cases have hit daily records, and an outbreak of the quick-spreading Delta variant, first identified in India, detected.
Health authorities announced 94 new cases Tuesday, bringing the total to 604 active infections.
Permanent Secretary for Health James Fong said the rising numbers were swamping quarantine facilities, forcing patients to isolate at home.
"New positive cases are being entered into home isolation, where feasible," he said.
"Specific guidance has been provided for these individuals to ensure they do not have contact with other members of their households." Fiji's two largest hospitals, in Suva and Lautoka, have been converted into dedicated Covid-19 facilities, with field hospitals set up to treat non-virus patients.
Fiji successfully quashed community transmission of the virus last year with a series of tough border and movement restrictions.
But the government has resisted imposing a nationwide lockdown during the latest outbreak, concerned it will exacerbate poverty rates already elevated by the closure of international tourism.
Instead, it has relied on localised stay-at-home orders and ramped up vaccination efforts.
But the leader of the opposition NFP Party Biman Prasad said a nationwide lockdown was inevitable to contain the spread of infections.
"The longer we wait and numbers rise, the longer and more painful the lockdown will be," he said. "This is not rocket science. This is common sense." Prasad said it was time for health professionals, not politicians, to lead the Covid-19 response. He also urged the government to set aside its pride and ask for help from Australia and New Zealand.
"Lives, health and incomes are at stake," he said.
"This is a time to accept that we are not coping with the problem and to request help to bring the crisis under control."Senior government figures have said little as the crisis escalates but in an address over the weekend, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama urged the country's 930,000 residents to keep faith with his containment strategy.
"Covid-19's hold over Fiji will dissipate. It will weaken and the light at the end of the tunnel will glow brighter and brighter," he said.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
SC orders end of encroachments in Karachi
Nazish Jahangir denies viral screenshots, calls them fake
Govt likely to hike electricity price once again
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
Malala expresses unwavering support for Gaza people
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
2 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
3 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
4 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
4 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
4 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
4 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
6 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
10 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
11 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
11 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
14 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
16 days ago