The Fiji government has, via Public Notice rescinded the public health restrictions that impacted businesses and travelers to Fiji. These changes to public health measures have retrospective effect.

In this legal alert, we briefly update on the recent changes to public health requirements.

The Public Health (Covid-19 Response) Public Notice No. 89, Government Gazette No. 142, published on 25 November 2022 rescinds the following COVID-19 response measures/restrictions:

1. As of 16 November 2022, all bar or tavern operators are no longer required to take steps to prevent its customers from dancing within its premises.
   
   
2. As of 16 November 2022, no person is prohibited from dancing in a bar or tavern.
   
   
3. As of 16 November 2022, businesses are no longer required to:

• • undertake daily temperature checks and COVID-19 screening of its staff prior to entering the premises of the business;
  • require customers and clients to undertake temperature checks prior to entering the premises of the business;
  • maintain a register of temperature of its staff; and
  • prohibit entry to any person with a temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius or above.

4. As of 16 November 2022, any business providing accommodation services to visitors are no longer required to:

• • acquire Care Fiji Commitment Certification from Tourism Fiji; and
  • comply with the conditions of the Care Fiji Commitment Certification.

5. As of 16 November 2022, businesses and any other applicable person are no longer required to comply with COVID-Safe Protocols that were approved by the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services and for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, in particular:

• Protocol for COVID-Safe Business Operations;
• Protocol for COVID-Safe Retail Operations;
• Protocol for COVID-Safe Operations for Houses of Worships;
• Protocol for Enhanced Ventilation;
• Protocol for COVID-Safe Operations for Hairdressers and Salon Services;
• Protocol for COVID-Safe Operations for Tattoo Parlours;
• Protocol for COVID-Safe for Gym Operations;
• Protocol for COVID-Safe for Cinema/Movie Theatre Operations;
• Protocol for COVID-Safe for Bars and Taverns;
• Protocol for COVID-Safe for Gaming Venue Operations;
• Protocol for COVID-Safe for Tourism Accommodation Services;
• Protocol for COVID-Safe for Land Transport Services;
• Protocol for COVID-Safe for Outdoor Events;
• Protocol for COVID-Safe for Independent Event Halls and Hire Venues.

6. As of 16 November 2022, bars and tavern are not required to only operate up to 1.00am daily.
   
   
7. As of 16 November 2022, high-risk businesses, CFC Certified businesses and business operating a ship under a coasting-trade license are no longer required to use the VAX-Check tool to verify the COVID-19 vaccination status of any person entering the premises of business or ship.
   
   
8. As of 5 September 2022, persons entering Fiji are no longer required to undergo testing for COVID-19 at an approved testing facility within 72 hours of arrival.
   
   
9. As of 5 September 2022, approved COVID-19 testing facilities for visitors arriving in Fiji are no longer required to notify the PS for Health and Medical Services of any person who made a booking for testing but failed to undergo the test within 72 hours of arrival in Fiji.

While many of the above removals of restrictions have retrospective effect, this represents a welcome clarification of the public health requirements that impact businesses and travelers to Fiji.

Disclaimer:

This Legal Alert is provided for general information purposes only, and it is not, and should not be relied upon as legal advice.