BY ALEX DADAMU
THE country has not registered any new COVID-19 case in the past 5 months.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, speaking during his fortnightly nationwide address today said the country, however, diagnose several crew members of three foreign vessels with COVID-19 in the past 2 months.
“All 3 vessels had since departed the country to serve out their respective quarantine periods at their home ports and will resume their trips to the Solomon Islands when the COVID-19 situation onboard each vessel is resolved.
“COVID-19 positive cases on vessels go under a different category, so they do not add to our official numbers,” Prime Minister Sogavare said.
He commended the diligence of the OSC’s Vessel Exemption Committee for putting in place measures that intercepted these COVID-19 cases which could have otherwise entered the country.
Sogavare said COVID-19 can only enter our country in 2 ways – legally through the county’s international points of entry or illegally through illegal vessels or illegal border-crossers at the western border.
“In this regard, I call on all citizens to play your part in the fight against COVID-19 by:
“Respecting all restrictions and avoid physical contact with incoming travelers upon their arrival and throughout their quarantine period, whether they are family members or friends.
“Refrain from making physical contact with crews of foreign vessels entering our ports. Only authorized health and other frontline personals are allowed to board foreign vessels.
“Reporting of any suspicious movements in or around our borders to responsible authorities’ health or police.
“By taking such actions we will ensure our country remains COVID-19 free and our children, our families, and our communities are protected.” Prime Minister Sogavare said.
