Twenty-one Fijians linked to the freighter that had two sailors test positive for Covid-19 last weekend have all returned negative results for the virus.
Health secretary Dr James Fong. Photo: Fiji Govt
The MV Island Chief arrived in Fiji from Tonga on 2 December to unload cargo at Lautoka and then headed to Suva.
The Health Ministry said the locals included the ship's agents and customs and border officials who boarded the vessel.
Health secretary Dr James Fong said while they were wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), out of caution the officials were taken to the quarantine facilities.
There was no risk to the public because the crew members did not leave the vessel, Fong said
The ministry had tracked down the immediate contacts of the 21 people and quarantined them.
They were now looking at the immediate contacts of the group, Fong said.
Contact-tracing teams were out in the field making sure the immediate contacts of the group were Covid-safe by testing them and putting them under home quarantine, he said.
The ministry's response would remain proportionate and measured to ensure the risk to the public was minimal.
He urged the public to be vigilant during the festive season.
On a possible return to lockdown, Fong said it was always an option in every risk situation when dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
But the ministry would first want to clarify the situation before going public.
"The public will need to understand that while we are clarifying, we are protecting," Fong said.
"Sometimes while we are doing our protective measures in the community, people will see it and make their own interpretation about what's happening.
"That's what we expect but it's more important that we are protecting the people."
Fiji has 11 active cases of Covid-19, nine in border quarantine.
