I keep seeing these ads enticing people to travel to Fiji as the island nation is now 'open' to it's neighbour friends. So I looked into it and came to the conclusion that going there is more of an administrative nightmare than a holiday
From Fiji Gov website...
FIJI TRAVEL PARTNERS ENTRY CONDITIONS
Travellers coming from a Fiji Travel Partner country do not require any prior approval. However, the following conditions apply, where the negative PCR test and proof of vaccination will be verified by the airline
Prior to Arrival:
1. Negative PCR: Travellers 12 years and above will be required to produce a negative PCR test taken no more than 2 calendar days prior to the scheduled day of departure. This applies to all travellers disembarking in Fiji.Travellers must present evidence of a negative test that has a specimen collection date indicating that the specimen was collected no more than 2 calendar days before the flight’s departure (or first flight in a series of connections booked on the same itinerary).ORFor travellers who previously tested positive within 30 days of travel to Fiji, they must provide proof of the isolation period served from a credible institution or produce a fit to fly certificate from a medical practitioner. If outside the 30 days, a negative result applies for a PCR test.The fit to fly medical certificate needs to have the following information; date of onset symptoms, date of testing positive, date of cessation of symptoms; and release date from isolation.PCR tests to be performed by nasopharyngeal, nasal or mid-turbinate, oropharyngeal and saliva specimen collection methods
2. Proof of Vaccination: All travellers must produce proof of full vaccination. Only travellers who are under the age of 18 years will be exempt, provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian who is vaccinated. Vaccinated minors below the age of 18 may travel unaccompanied, observing all international travel protocols.A 14-day waiting period prior to travel following full vaccination applies. Fiji COVID-19 recognised vaccines include AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, Nuvaxovid (Novavax), Coronavac (Sinovac), Covishield, BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm), Covaxin and Sputnik V.
3. Pre-paid itinerary: Travellers must produce proof of minimum 3 nights pre-paid accommodation at a Care Fiji Commitment (CFC) certified property (hotel/resort) which must also include CFC certified transport from the airport.
4. Travellers must have stayed in a Travel Partner country for at least 14 days prior to coming to Fiji.
5. All foreign passport holders must have medical travel insurance, with international coverage that covers COVID-19 before travelling.Travellers with existing insurance must present evidence of the cover not excluding COVID-19. Alternatively, travellers may opt for FijiCare COVID-19 travel insurance offered to travellers from Travel Partner countries.When in Fiji
6. Travellers must download Fiji’s contact tracing mobile application, careFIJI and keep the device Bluetooth turned on at all times during their stay.
7. Travellers must have a minimum of 3 nights stay confirmed at a CFC certified property, during which time they can explore Safe Travel Areas (STA) and take part in CFC approved tours, excursions and experiences.
8. On Day 2 of arrival, travellers will be required to take an approved Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) at their hotel (Day of arrival is considered Day 0 and Night 1). After clearing a negative test, travellers can continue to explore the STA or enter the wider community. If traveller has entered with a proof of the isolation period served from a credible institution or a fit to fly certificate from a medical practitioner, the in-country RAT does not apply. A traveller’s pre-departure COVID-19 test from Fiji can only be considered as the in-country COVID-19 test, once the following conditions are met:traveller is spending 5 or less nights in Fiji; and traveller has a confirmed outbound ticket from Fiji. In the event the outbound country does not require a pre-departure COVID-19 test, then the in-country test after 2 days of arrival applies.
The cost of rapid antigen testing will be borne by the hotel or traveller. The swab will be done by trained professionals and certified health professionals affiliated to the hotel.If the traveller turns positive on rapid antigen testing during their course of stay in Fiji, the confirmed case will be required to undergo 7 days of isolation.
Should the traveller or the insurance provider require a confirmation of PCR, this will be facilitated at the cost of the traveller. All primary/close contacts of the confirmed case will not be required to serve a quarantine period and can access Safe Travel Areas. However, all primary/close contacts need to monitor their COVID-19 symptoms during this period. All national public health measures applied by the Fijian Government, including face masks and social distancing, will apply.
On ReturnTravellers may require COVID-19 test results to return to their countries of origin or another destination. This can be facilitated by the hotel on advance notice.
Who in their right mind would see this as a holiday...
(20min delay)