Families of Fijian soldiers returning from peacekeeping duties in the Middle East have been told they will not be able to meet them when they arrive back in the country today.

Photo: 123RF

The Fiji Military Forces said that was part of precautionary measures against the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

The army's commander of international defence, Saula Tuilevuka, said the soldiers served in the UN Mission in Iraq.

They would undergo full health checks upon their arrival at Nadi Airport including two weeks of self-quarantine before they could join their families.

"We are taking precautionary measures at the moment since Iraq is one of the countries identified [with the coronavirus].

"So, we are going to prepare accordingly if any of them are found with high fever and all that. We will decide on them once they have all been tested."

Mr Tuilevuka said senior military officers were meeting with the Ministry of Health officials to discuss other measures.

Last year, Fiji ended its peacekeeping mission with the United Nations International Force in Lebanon.

Mr Tuilevuka said more than 500 Fijian soldiers are currently deployed under the Multinational force and Observers, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, and United Nations Disengagement Observers Force in Iraq and Sinai.

Meanwhile, Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama opened the country's first facility capable of testing for the coronavirus - one of only four in the Pacific.

Mr Bainimarama said the new Fiji Centre for Disease Control in Suva meant results from coronavirus testing could be available within six to eight hours.

He told guests at the launch that given the spread of the virus around the world, it was important Fiji was prepared.

The centre was also able to conduct molecular testing for a range of other diseases, he said.