Call for Designs: 9th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM9) Logo

The public is invited to submit designs for a logo to represent PALM9, including in pamphlets, posters and other promotional and event-related materials. The design should evoke Japan’s friendly and prosperous relationship with the Pacific Island Countries, to which it is bound by geography, history and values.The selected logo will represent PALM9, including in pamphlets, posters and other promotional and event-related materials.

The submission should be sent via email to palm9-logo@mofa.go.jp by November 30, 2020.

Created electrically with its explanation (around 50words long). Judges selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan will evaluate the designs and identify a winner. Please refer to the following website for more details: https://www.mofa.go.jp/a_o/ocn/page23e_000593.html

Opportunities in Fiji’s Health Sector – Investment Webinar, Tuesday, 29 September 2020

Meet Fiji’s Health Experts

Join Mr. Craig Strong (CEO of Investment Fiji), Dr. James Fong (Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health) & Mr. Pramesh Sharma (BSP Life – Chief Investment Officer) for an exclusive webinar on “Opportunities in Fiji’s Health Sector”.

Learn more about the opportunities & incentives available for investors along with a success story from private healthcare investor – BSP Life (Oceania Hospital). 

Event Details

Date & Time: Tuesday 29th September 2020, 4.00pm – 4.45pm Fiji Time

Register in advance for this webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5316008093948/WN_6o8xaCaYQLyXZj8akJFe_Q

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email which contains information about joining the webinar.

Opportunities in Fiji’s Agriculture Sector, Investment Webinar Session- Tuesday, 15 September 2020

To register for this webinar, please click on the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkfuGsrz4vHtXiLOaT4U06A4NPdD1VfdRY

Once your registration is successfully completed, each participant will be sent a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

For more information regarding the webinar, please send your queries to info@fijiembassy.jp

STATEMENT FROM THE ACTING PERMANENT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES

Bula Vinaka.
 
Earlier this week we assured the public the arrival of repatriation flight GA7280 from New Delhi to Fiji on the 27th of August was dealt with in line with our border quarantine protocols –– which are the most stringent anywhere in the world. As some of you may be aware, several New Zealand citizens on board that flight continued onwards travel after spending about 30 minutes on the tarmac of Nadi Airport. Five of those passengers went on to test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival to New Zealand. As per our infection control protocols, all areas of Nadi Airport accessible to passengers from that flight have been hygienically deep-cleaned.
 
As per Fijian border quarantine protocol, all disembarking passengers from that flight were tested for the virus. Following the confirmation of cases in New Zealand, we did expect some test results to return positive. Two passengers did indeed test positive for the virus. They are both male Fijian citizens, one is aged 55 and the other is 22. These confirmations bring Fiji’s total number of active border quarantine cases to five.
 
Both gentlemen have been hygienically secured in the isolation ward at Nadi Hospital. Neither were displaying symptoms at that time of testing. Again, these tests were run as part of our standard border quarantine process.
 
All 83 other passengers on board the flight have returned negative results. These passengers have each been entered into mandatory 14-day quarantine period in a government designated quarantine facility under supervision from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. If any develop symptoms, they will be tested for the virus. At the end of their quarantine period, we will test them once again. If they return negative results, they will be discharged. 
 
The frontline border staff that were directly involved in the arrival of the passengers on this flight have also all tested negative for COVID-19.
 
Once again, I must emphasize: Our border quarantine and infection prevention control protocols are as strict as they come. So long as they are upheld there is no risk to the Fijian public from border quarantine cases.
 
Thank you.

The Fiji Embassy Tokyo, in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Ladies Friendship Society, Donated more than one thousand library books to two Schools in Fiji

FET-ALFS-Report-Aug-2020

Latest Travel Advisory for Fiji Citizen(s)/ Fiji Residents(s)/ Other Permit Holder(s) Intending to Travel to Fiji

The Fijian government through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has issued the latest upgraded travel requirements relating to Fiji Citizen(s), Fiji Resident(s)/ Other Permit Holder(s) intending to travel to Fiji with immediate effect. The new test requirements include the format of the COVID – 19 test result that everyone traveling to Fiji has to adhere to. MHMS have requested that the following new procedures be implemented:

i. The Fiji Citizen(s)/ Fiji Residents(s)/ Other Permit Holder(s) must produce a recent negative COVID-19 RT-PCR or Cepheid GeneXpert (Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2) test (for a nasopharyngeal sample taken not more than 72 hours before departure) following which approval will be granted to depart for Fiji.

ii. The test result must be in the form of the complete report from the laboratory that performed the test – on the laboratory letterhead. ( example attached)

iii. The Fiji Citizen(s)/ Fiji Residents(s)/ Other Permit Holder(s) with symptoms prior to boarding at port of departure will not be permitted to board the plane.

iv. All Fiji Citizen(s)/ Fiji Residents(s)/ Other Permit Holder(s) must undergo temperature and symptom check upon arrival at the airport. If symptoms are present a nasopharyngeal swab sample will be collected for a COVID-19 RT-PCR test at the cost of sponsor or individual returnee. The MHMS protocol for dealing with suspected cases will be applied. If the test is positive, he or she must remain in isolation under the care of MHMS but if the test is negative, he or she will be released to complete the mandatory quarantine in the designated Government quarantine facility. Attached below id the format of the report that Fijian authorities will be requiring all intending travellers to bring to Fiji.

v. The Fiji Citizen(s)/ Fiji Residents(s)/ Other Permit Holder(s) will be transferred from the airport to Government quarantine facility for a mandatory 14-days quarantine in a vehicle, driven by a local driver who will not come in contact with the principals and will wear Personal Protective equipment (PPE).

vi. The vehicle will be escorted by Republic of the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) personnel from the airport to the Government quarantine facility at the cost of the sponsor or individual returnee.

vii. The 14 day quarantine period at the Government quarantine facility will be under the constant supervision of the RFMF and MHMS.

viii. While Fiji Citizen(s)/ Fiji Residents(s)/ Other Permit Holder(s) is/are in the Government quarantine facility, they must adhere to all quarantine requirements. MHMS officials will conduct regular temperature and symptom checks. If symptoms are present a nasopharyngeal swab sample will be collected for a COVID-19 RT-PCR test at the cost of sponsor or individual returnee. The MHMS protocol for dealing with suspected cases will be applied. If the test is positive, he or she must remain in isolation under the care of MHMS but if the test is negative he or she will be released to complete the mandatory quarantine.

ix. If the Fiji Citizen(s)/ Fiji Residents(s)/ Other Permit Holder(s) remain asymptomatic a nasopharyngeal swab collected at the end of the quarantine period for a COVID-19 RT-PCR test at the cost of the sponsor or the individual returnee. A negative test result will be required before release from quarantine. The sponsor or the individual returnee will meet all the cost associated to quarantine for which they must directly liaise with Government quarantine facility.

x. The MHMS will make the final determination to release the Fiji Citizen(s)/ Fiji Residents(s)/ Other Permit Holder(s) from quarantine.

Suva City Council – Expression of Interest (Public Private Partnership) – Development of Former “Raiwaqa Market Property”

EOI-RaiwaqaMarketSitePPP-1

Quarantine Requirements for Foreigners and Fijian Nationals Entering Fiji – Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS)

COVID-19 test requirement

Documented proof of a negative Covid-19 test is required for all foreign nationals seeking to enter Fiji. Fijian citizens departing countries determined as a high risk for COVID-19 may also need to be tested before departure. 

Approved COVID-19 tests

Acceptable tests for COVID-19 are quantitative RT-PCR or Cepheid GeneXpert (Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2). Note that other rapid point of care RT PCR, or antigen/ antibody tests are not accepted. A nasopharyngeal sample must be the sample tested.

Timing of test

The sample must be collected for testing at most 72hrs (3 days) before departure for Fiji. For example: if you are residing in country A and are booked to begin your travel to Fiji on a plane leaving on Friday July 24th – you need to have your nasopharyngeal sample taken for testing at earliest on Tuesday July 21st. In this case the result of a sample collected before Tuesday July 21st is not acceptable.

Format of test result

The negative test result must be in the form of an official result from the laboratory that conducted the test. This result should include the following information:

The laboratory letter head and laboratory contact details, patient details, type of sample collected, date of sample collection, date test was conducted, type of test conducted, lab sample number, and name of lab supervisor/staff signing off on the result.

Symptom and temperature screening

All travellers entering Fiji must undergo a temperature and symptom check by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) officials upon arrival at the port of entry. If symptoms of COVID-19 are present a nasopharyngeal swab sample will be collected for a COVID-19 RT-PCR test at the cost of the traveller (if not a Fijian citizen) and the MHMS protocol for suspected cases will be applied. If the test is positive, he or she must remain in isolation under the care of MHMS but if the test is negative he or she will be released to complete the mandatory 14-day quarantine. 

Mandatory 14 day quarantine

All travellers into Fiji will be required to complete supervised quarantine for 14 days.

Quarantine for travellers arriving by air

Quarantine will be for at least 14 days in a government designated quarantine facility (hotels) under the direct supervision for the MHMS and Republic of Fiji Military Forces. Fijian citizens are not charged for meals, accommodation, or testing associated with quarantine. 

Regular symptom and temperature screening during quarantine

MHMS officials will conduct regular temperature and symptom checks. If symptoms of COVID-19 are present a nasopharyngeal swab sample will be collected for a COVID-19 RT-PCR test at the cost of the traveller (if not a Fijian citizen). The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) protocol for suspected cases will be applied. If the test is positive, he or she must remain in isolation under the care of MHMS but if the test is negative he or she will be released to complete the mandatory 14 day quarantine. 

End of quarantine COVID-19 test

If the traveller remains asymptomatic during quarantine- a nasopharyngeal swab sample collected for a COVID-19 RT-PCR test with a negative test result required before release from quarantine. The cost of the test will be borne by the traveller (if not a Fijian citizen).

End.