Fiji reopens to foreigners for first time in nearly two years amid Omicron scare | Travel - Hindustan Times
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Fiji reopens to foreigners for first time in nearly two years amid Omicron scare

Reuters | | Posted by Zarafshan Shiraz, Canberra
Dec 01, 2021 08:26 PM IST

With about 90% of all Fijian adults now fully vaccinated, the Pacific Island reopened its border to tourists from a small number of countries - much to the relief of tourism operators.

Fiji reopened its border to international travellers for the first time in nearly two years on Wednesday, as the Pacific Island country seeks to revive its dominant tourism industry.

In this photo released by Tourism Fiji, guests receive a traditional Fijian welcome as they arrive at Nadi International airport in Fiji, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. Fiji welcomed back its first tourists in more than 600 days on Wednesday after deciding to push ahead with reopening plans despite the threat posed by the omicron variant (AP)
In this photo released by Tourism Fiji, guests receive a traditional Fijian welcome as they arrive at Nadi International airport in Fiji, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. Fiji welcomed back its first tourists in more than 600 days on Wednesday after deciding to push ahead with reopening plans despite the threat posed by the omicron variant (AP)

Fiji shut its border to all foreign nationals in March 2020 to curb the spread of Covid-19 in a desperate bid to stop its limited medical facilities being overrun.

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With about 90% of all Fijian adults now fully vaccinated, the Pacific Island reopened its border to tourists from a small number of countries - much to the relief of tourism operators.

"To see the Fiji Airways plane full up and for us to welcome those tourists today was so amazing. It was a great, great feeling and I'm glad to have been there personally," James Sowane, director of the Fiji tourism company, Tewaka, told Reuters.

Tourists arriving will have to stay three nights in an approved resort and undergo rapid testing. They can move around designated areas, including bars and restaurants within the hotels, while they can embark on some day trips and activities.

Although limited, the resumption of tourism is a boost to many of the island nation's 1 million people.

Tourism accounts for 40% of Fiji's economy and the border closure saw an estimated 10% of the population unemployed.

Still the reopening marks a risk to Fiji with Australia one of a few countries to record cases of the Omicron variant.

Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama hailed the return of tourists, who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 and tested for infection.

"Today, we are proud and most importantly prepared to welcome the first tourists to fly to Fiji in almost two years. Our message to every fully vaccinated, Covid-tested traveller who arrives to our shores is simple: Welcome Home," Bainimarama said in a post on Facebook.

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This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
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