![Permanent Secretary for Health Doctor James Fong. [image: file]](https://www.fijivillage.com/news_images/2145443254604c52b1ed737497b0f0.jpg)
The Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr James Fong says they had noticed an increase in the number of people travelling in and out of the country which is why they have decided that those who come to Fiji for non-essential reasons will have to pay for their quarantine.
Fijians who are coming into the country for non-essential reasons will now have to pay for their quarantine from 29th March 2021.
Dr Fong says government was paying the quarantine costs for all returning Fijians because the idea was to bring all of them back to Fiji who were stuck in other countries.
He says this was the initial intent.
Dr Fong says they feel 12 months was enough for people to realise that there will be a cost associated upon their return to Fiji.
/+AUDIO-1330122090604c527a220047dae343.mp3+AUDIO/
More than 12,800 Fijians have been repatriated through Fiji’s COVID-safe quarantine protocols since last March last where government has paid over $18 million to cover meals, accommodation, swab tests, transportation and personnel costs.
The average cost for a 14-day quarantine period will be around $2,200.
Earlier;
