COVID-19 Precautions Priority

23rd April

A meeting was convened today between the Fiji Police Force, Suva City Council and Executives of major bus companies to discuss means of cooperation in light of COVID-19.

In a bid to ensure COVID-19 precautionary measures were being implemented, an area of concern has been the number of people waiting for buses at the Suva bus stand as well as the number of passengers that are boarding buses.

Chairing the meeting was Director Community Policing Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bereta Naisua where issues discussed included;

i)  Increasing the number of buses to operate during peak hours in the afternoons to ensure people were able to reach home before the curfew hours

ii) Creating temporary bus bays to avoid congestion

iii) Police officers to control the movement of traffic along the Suva-Nausori corridor to ensure quick turn around time for buses servicing the routes

iv) Liaising with other stakeholders to improve road conditions and

v) Joint monitoring physical distancing at the Suva Bus Stand between Police and SCC as well as working with bus drivers and checkers to improve communication between parties.

Executives of the bus companies present said they were ready to assist with the deployment of more buses and will work closely with all stakeholders.

The meeting concluded with all parties agreeing to implement the temporary measures and a follow-up meeting on Monday.