BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
The second repatriation flight planned for Fiji on March 30 can be delayed to April 7.
This is because there are not enough passenger numbers to make the flight at the moment according to Secretary to Prime Minister (SPM) Dr Jimmie Rodgers.
Speaking during this week’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) talk Back show, the Vice Chairman of the National Oversight Committee (NOC) said they will only be able to confirm that in the next 24 hours.
“In terms of repatriation flights, there is a second repatriation flight that is planned for Fiji. The original date is the 30th, we are just looking at that flight date at the moment, whether we can mount it on that date or it can be delayed a bit. And, if it delays then it will be on April 7. We will only be able to confirm that in the next 24 hours. The reason for the delays is that at the moment we do not have enough passenger numbers to make the flight liable on the 30th, so we are trying hard,” said Rodgers.
Also from information that Fiji will start lifting quarantine restrictions on April 7, Dr Rodgers said they are hoping that Solomon Islands might be included so that people travelling from Solomon Islands may enter Fiji without quarantine.
“But we are still finding information on that. If that is the case then it will benefit people travelling on April 7, because two weeks quarantine at Fiji is quite expensive. We will be getting information in the next 24hours and the confirmation will come if whether the flight on the 30th will still be maintained or whether that flight will be shifted on April 7. We will let you know on that,” said Rodgers.
Meanwhile, an email circulated to Solomon Islands Government (SIG) sponsored students in Fiji academic institutions by the Second Secretary to Solomon Islands High Commission in Fiji, Madolyn Yalu has informed them that the flight has been deferred. And that new Covid-19 testing dates including timing and venue will be communicated in due course.
“This is to inform that the repatriation flight scheduled for 30th March is now deferred to 7 April 2022.
“For this purpose, please inform all students travelling on this flight that there will be no testing tomorrow 28th [today] March 2022.
“The new test dates including timing and venue will be communicated in due course,” said Madolyn.
