Fiji reopens to tourists despite threat of Omicron variant

Fiji is looking forward to welcoming tourists after a 600-day absence because of the Covid pandemic (Bruce Rounds/Tourism Fiji via AP)

Fiji welcomed back its first tourists in more than 600 days on Wednesday after pushing ahead with reopening plans despite the threat posed by the newly detected Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The Pacific nation is famed for its idyllic white-sand beaches and relaxed, welcoming attitude. And it depends on the tourist dollars those features attract.