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Fiji govt set to bring stranded citizens home

The new Airbus A350 aircraft.
Source: RNZ Pacific

Suva, FIJI — Fiji's government says efforts are being made to repatriate its citizens stranded in the Middle East due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Prime Minister's Office said while the government had been able to repatriate on family, there are others who remain in the region who want to get home.

Secretary Yogesh Karan said the government was working with the airlines to bring them home.

Karan said the family should be repatriated next month.

"Almost everyone is back. One or two would be still there but they haven't approached us. They are undergoing further medical treatment. As for those who were on our list, they are safely back in our country."

Meanwhile, Karan said Fijians stranded in India after seeking medical treatment there have been safely repatriated.

He said anyone wanting to return home could contact the Fiji High Commission Office in New Delhi.

REPATRIATION FLIGHTS TO AUSTRALIA

Earlier, Fiji Airways announced it would operate repatriation flights between Nadi and Brisbane and from Nadi to Sydney this month.

In a statement, the airline said this would allow Fijian and Australian citizens as well as approved non-citizens to travel to their respective destinations.

The airline said guests could book tickets for the flight online or by calling the airline's Reservations Centre.

It said guests holding unused Fiji Airways' tickets for flights between Nadi-Sydney and Nadi-Brisbane were also able to book themselves on these flights by contacting the Fiji Airways Reservations.

But the airline said there were limited seats available on the repatriation flights under government directives.

"Fiji Airways' international flights operate under the airline's Travel Ready programme, which is designed for air travel in a Covid-19 world.

"Travel Ready has numerous precautions and medical safeguards in place to protect customers and staff alike," the airline said.

"Travel Ready requires customers to bring their own facemasks with them when they come to the airport, practice physical distancing in queues and public seating areas, and undergo regular temperature-screening (along with other Covid-symptoms' screening)."

Australia and Fiji have strict entry and quarantine requirements in place for all travellers. Guests are requested to ensure they understand and comply with these.