News from Fiji warns of a new Covid variant reportedly more transmissible than the deadly Delta
The news relayed by Radio New Zealand this morning, Saturday, says.
Quote
Only fully vaccinated travellers will be allowed entry into Fiji.
The Government confirmed this week the only exemptions would be "a few emergencies."
Despite the Covid-19 outbreak, now spread to the country's remote islands, the government is optimistic international travel will resume soon.
Fiji expects to reopen its border in November this year.
The government also expects to vaccinate at least 60 percent of the target population by the end of October.
As of 1 September, 560,940 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 278,131 got both jabs.
The Health Ministry said this means that 96 percent of the target population have received at least one dose and 48.4 percent are now fully-vaccinated nation-wide.
The Ministry said preparations are underway for new Covid variants, reportedly more transmissible than the deadly Delta.
International scientists have reported they were unsure how effective existing vaccines would be against C.1.2, a new variant.
The variant was first detected in South Africa in May and in New Zealand in June.
Fiji's Health Secretary James Fong said only fully vaccinated people would be allowed into the country, apart from a few emergencies.
Copyright @ 2021, Radio New Zealand.
Comment
I expect the MHMS will be in touch with the health authorities in New Zealand to get more information on the reported new Covid variant.
In the meantime, I would please urge all Solomon Islanders not yet vaccinated to do so in order to protect themselves and others.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
