BY KHAMA LINCOLN
Gizo Based Isles Media Freelance Reporter
A father shares experience while living onboard a landing craft for two weeks at Gizo Harbour amongst others infected with COVID.
Simeon Kisini from Choiseul, is one of the passengers who boarded the LC Pacific Grace when it returned to the Western Province three weeks ago.
According to contact tracing established by Provincial Disaster Operation in Gizo, LC Pacific Grace and LC Nusa Tupe called in at Taro Island in Choiseul recently during which the seafarers mingle with each other.
The Crew of LC Nusa Tupe was identified earlier as the first people spreading COVID in a Village at the Marovo lagoon.
As LC Pacific Grace arrived in Gizo harbor, health authorities in the Provincial Headquarters did not allowed the freight vessel to berth at the main Wharf, keeping it at bay for COVID test, and after tested positive crew and passengers waited onboard for more than two weeks.
“17 people tested positive, 11 passengers and six crew including the second captain,” Kisina said.
“This is a cargo ship and we negative ones stayed outside in tents and when it’s raining, we don’t have any place to sleep.
“The Positive ones live in the cargo containers, but in the containers are dark and very bad.
He said, during their stay in the vessel they also made efforts to raise their complains, but he said, those “complaints not working”.
They called for authority to move them as quickly as possible to quarantine site.
However, late last week Provincial authority was able to secure a quarantine site at Nusa Tupe Island with the owner of the property. All Crew and passengers are now moved to the Island.
“We are families from Choiseul, and with 13 children.
He said, in the ship they don’t have greens and vegetables, they live on rice, noodle and Taiyo, and sometimes few conned beef.
“We have to take greens to combat the disease. Those who are positive, are struggling to fight the disease,” He said.
He said, while living in the vessel, relatives send them lemon and ginger, to help them fight against the virus. They use lemon for steaming and mix ginger and lemon with water for drinking.
“While in the vessel we always have supply of water for drinking, but we did not have water for bath so we used the saltwater.
Mr Kisini, a United Church pastor who travelled with his wife and a three years old child pointed out that they have been together for two weeks, and they have been tested negative for COVID-19.
He said, they are heading for his wife’s home in Ranogga Island when they met up with the new challenge. Kisini considered the situation as also a challenge for Christians these days.
It is understood that after weeks of negotiations, Provincial authorities last week were able to secure a quarantine site at Nusa Tupe Island. All crews and passengers are now moved to the Island for isolation and quarantine.
FEATURED PHOTO: LC PACIFIC GRACE. PHOTO CREDIT: FORUM GIZO/FB
