BY KHAMA LINCOLN
Gizo Based Isles Media Freelance Reporter
PROVINCIAL Disaster operation in Gizo, now working on moving people tested positive and negative onboard LC Pacific Grace to a Quarantine Facility at Nusa Tupe Island.
Latest tests done confirms 17 are positive with COVID in the Landing Craft which anchors on the waters of Gizo harbour for two weeks already.
Reliable source from the operation team revealed that the owner of the property refused to let the government use the accommodation as COVID 19 quarantine site.
The Government have already improved the facility recently but the delay to actually shift people to the site for quarantine is due to the owner’s high demand for rental.
In addition to that, the source who spoke in condition of anonymity said, the owner of the property, a Chinese businessman finally allows the site as Provincial government authority inform him of possible strident measures that the local authority will apply if the company is not able to cooperate with the province.
The Provincial Secretary and Chairman of Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) Jeffery Wickham said, in an earlier interview this week that his team have submitted recommendation to the Oversight Committee in Honiara. The recommendation is to re-declare the site at Nusa Tupe for quarantine.
“We installed everything, now we ask prime minister’s office to make authorization under emergency order to use the facility,” He said.
He said, the facility has already been gazetted for people who are positive with Corona Virus to be isolated there.
He pointed out that what slows down the process is negotiation between the owner and the government as the latter is yet to decide and agree on cost of rental demanded by the owner of the property.
Provincial Disaster Officer Danny Ruel said, there are 15 crews and 35 passengers in the Land Craft, while 17 tested positive with COVID, the positive ones are six crew and 11 passengers.
He said that earlier on, PDOC has also identified an alternative spot for quarantine and isolation in Gizo Town.
“We identified an alternative at the outback rest house, Water pump area in Gizo, but the community opposed that plan.
“I think due to community perception and stigmatization, so they don’t want any isolation or quarantine to happen there.” He said.
He said, disagreement from the community also delayed the movement of the crew and passengers.
