Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, Dr. James Fong,
President of Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association, Brian Kirsch,
FHTA Board of Directors,
CEO, Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association, Fantasha Lockington,
CEO, Tourism Fiji, Brent Hill,
Manager Training, Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), Gareth McGrath,
Industry Members,
Bula Vinaka and a good afternoon to everyone.
Today is my first of two things – one is attending an event along the margins of or post Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) Annual General Meeting (AGM), and second – coming out here in person after months of virtual meetings.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
While I am told I have a whole 20 minutes to speak on the topic of “Getting to 1 December”, I want to be very specific in my main message to stakeholders – that is – we need to be firmly committed to the reopening – eyes firmly fixed on the prize.
The idea of having unending reminders on your responsibilities, as an industry, may not seem as important. But as you will appreciate neither you or Fiji can afford to fail.
December re-opening should be the launch of our Industry re-claiming its spot as the crown-jewel of our economy. However, can only achieve this if we have sustainability in our preparations. And this means we need to be seen and behave as a COVID-safe tourist destination.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It has been a long journey from having a test positivity rate of 30 percent at one point, to a mere 3 percent now. The hard slog is paying off. Our vaccination rates and coverage is now an envy for the rest of the world. Deaths due to COVID-19 have become negligible and we have low hospitalisation numbers.
All the work was not only to keep Fiji and Fijians safe – but to also build our economy back better and stronger – and regain all the livelihoods that have been lost.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Whilst we recover and emerge from COVID-19, the sustainability of our recovery is the key. We don’t want to be like countries who opened up somewhat abruptly, only to close thereafter because of an outbreak. This is something Fiji cannot afford.
Not only will the economic implications be far worse, But we may lose ground to our competitors that we may never regain. The idyllic impression and image of Fiji, built over many years needs to be preserved in the long term.
Vaccines have been the backbone of our recovery. We need to continue to promote vaccination within our Industry and outside.
The second part of sustainable recovery is maintaining COVID Safe behaviour.
This means following the guidelines set by CFC, Ministry of Health and the COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Taskforce (CRMT).
As with our vaccine coverage, we cannot afford complacency with our safety protocols. I urge all of you to uphold these rules – to keep us and our vulangi safe.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I take this opportunity to thank you all for your efforts in getting Care Fiji Commitment (CFC) approved. I recognise it was and is – not an easy feat. A lot has been done and a lot is still being done to get us ready, come 1 December.
We know that we are still working through the accreditation process. I’d like to assure you, while this process goes on, it will not affect your ability to take bookings and to welcome guests.
I also acknowledge the efforts by APTC for their timely assistance in providing training. I know this will go a long way.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are putting this onus on the industry to ensure they are able to sustainably recover and adapt. What we want is partnership every step of the way.
Like we’ve done with all other businesses, we expect the greatest level of care and accountability from the tourism industry.
After receiving the CFC Certification, hotels will be required to obtain a Permit to Operate from the CRMT. This was also announced by the Hon. Prime Minister in his 10 October address.
Now, I would like to assure you that the process will also not in any way hinder your ability to take bookings. Once you have your CFC Certification, all you’ll need to do is submit online a copy of your Certification and the Action Plan and within 24 hours, the CRMT will revert.
And to give you ample time, we will give you lead time.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I know many of you here have questions on how we’ll put to play the recent announcement of the Hon. Prime Minister on our re-opening. With Dr. Fong here, and the MCTTT team joining, we will endeavour to clarify your doubts.
But very briefly, from 1 December, fully vaccinated visitors from our Travel Partner countries will no longer need to quarantine. Instead, after showing proof of vaccination and testing negative 3 days prior to departure, they can stay at a CFC certified hotel and take a Rapid Diagnostic Test, 48 hours after their arrival.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Since the announcement, we have received several queries on whether a 3 day stay means tourists are quarantined. We have also received requests for those who have homes and family in Fiji who wish to go directly to their homes. And we understand this and the cost implications it has.
The point I would like to make is – we’re still in the middle of the Pandemic. We are not out of the woods yet. That means we need to maintain some aspects of risk mitigation. We do not have to look far to realise the impact the smallest act of complacency can have.
We need to also realise, and I’m sure Dr. Fong will agree, despite Fiji re-opening, certain compromises are required now in order to not suffer in the long term. At least until such time our health experts are reasonably assured that we can completely ease any restrictions — we have to maintain the current level of controls and restrictions.
Every step we take, as we have taken over the last 2 years, will be careful and measured. We gradually opened different sectors, gradually opened different businesses, gradually lifted domestic borders, and gradually worked through curfew hours.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
What we have endeavored to do is, give some ease to travellers to ensure competitiveness. Which is why, while we ask visitors to spend 3 days in a hotel, we are giving them the freedom to stay at multiple CFC certified hotels, their families to stay with them, and even enable them to take part in CFC approved experiences outside the confines of the hotel – after which they can essentially explore ‘Safe Travel Areas’.
The CRMT continues to assess countries to be part of Fiji’s Travel Partner Countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the past few weeks, the CRMT has been meeting key stakeholders, such as the Border Agencies and Ministry of Communications. From airport readiness to vaccine certificate recognition – we are preparing to ensure seamless travel.
In the coming days, we will also be releasing more information on the FijiCare Insurance product, the portal where this product can be purchased. We will also be releasing new guidelines for domestic travel, I am sure this will be welcomed.
These are efforts to ensure that we are covering all bases to keep businesses and visitors safe.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have come a long way from where we were two years ago. We have lost ground but we have also achieved quite a few things.
We created new pathways to allow visitors to enter Fiji, despite border closure. We launched a domestic campaign that ignited economic activity. We embarked on a healthy and safety-first approach through the CFC — only to make it more robust now. And we worked together to get vaccinated.
All of this has led to where we are today. We are now less than a month away from December 1st, after a closure of almost two years, when Fiji opens its doors to tourists – showing true resilience in the face of Pandemic.
Vinaka.