The Permanent Secretary for Health Doctor James Fong says any discussions of a broader lockdown apart from the targeted lockdown that they have, needs to be part of a broader discussion and is beyond the Ministry of Health, adding that they have given the advice they need to give.
Doctor Fong highlighted this when questioned if they will be conducting more targeted area lockdowns with the increase in the number of COVID cases and if they are also looking at a larger lockdown area like the whole of Lami.
He says one of the lessons that he has learnt is that if the Ministry tries to do a lockdown, they cannot control the other variables that are involved.
While responding to a question on whether Dr. Fong as the Permanent Secretary of Health has advised the Prime Minister of the need to have a nationwide lockdown as the cases of COVID-19 escalate, Dr.Fong says they have given the advice that they needed to give.
Doctor Fong also says one thing they have learned is that a lot of people need support to be COVID-safe and no amount of lockdown will keep them safe from COVID-19.
He says because they have developed better capacity to support these lockdowns, they are now mobilizing in a coordinated manner to be able to supplement the needs of those who are in these lockdown areas.
The Permanent Secretary adds they continue to escalate the mitigation measures that will reduce the worst impact of the disease.
Dr Fong says it is a difficult battle that cannot be won overnight.
He has also stressed that this pandemic is unlikely to go away completely.
