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Buzzing Gizo town silent

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Gizo market

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE buzzing Gizo town came into a standstill yesterday following the implementation of COVID-19 measures taken by authorities in the province on Friday.

Only a few shoppers can be seen roaming the town buying groceries from the shops.

On the eastern end of the township, empty tables can be seen at the busy Gizo Market as it was dead silent as the market closed for business yesterday.

The western end of Gizo

While residence stayed indoors, police and volunteers took to the Gizo Main Street advising betel nut vendors to stop selling on public areas.

Later yesterday afternoon, Gizo police confiscated betel nut tables at the area known as Buni and also in other parts of Gizo.

The tables were transported to the Gizo dumpsite and burnt.

A notice at one of the betel nut selling hot spot

Reports reaching Island Sun Gizo states that the exercise was carried out to stop betel vendors from selling their products at the site and at the same time satisfy one the Western Province’s public measures against COVID-19.

30-Year-old arrested for murder on Malaita

Written by
Press Release
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Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at the Atori police station have arrested a 30-yr-old male suspect for the alleged murder of a 26-year-old man at Busu’one village, Malaita province on Thursday.

Acting Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Malaita Province, Inspector Charles Edward Koto alleged that the suspect walked into the kitchen where the deceased was sitting and cut the deceased’s neck and right hand with a bush knife.

The deceased died instantly after the attack. Both the deceased and the suspect were living in the same village.

 “Condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased for the loss of one of their family member.”

Mr. Koto said the suspect is now in police custody awaiting further dealings and a remand application.


Investigation into the incident continues.”

“Police appeal to those present during the incident to assist with information. This will help investigators bring the person responsible to the incident to face justice,” PPC Koto said.

RSIPF appeals for cooperation with police and health workers.

Written by
Press Release
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Police patrol

The Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) has advised the public in the Emergency Zones from Poha to Alligator Creek Bridge to cooperate with police and health workers during the lockdown period.

Commissioner of Police Mostyn Mangau said it was experienced that some citizens have refused to take swabs during the process of the contact tracing in Honiara.

“I urge the public to respect and support frontline workers in their efforts to contain the situation in Honiara and affected provinces as we are experiencing an increase in COVID-19 community transmission,” Commissioner Mangau remarked.

Commissioner Mangau urged all people in the Honiara emergency zone to consider this seriously.

“Please follow the simple health measures such as hand wash with soap and water regularly, use hand sanitizers, and keep a social distance of about two meters from the other person,” Mr Mangau said.

Mr Mangau also warned all exemption personnel to ensure they only travel to do work and not abuse the exemption to attend to other activities.

“Any person found to abuse the exemption will result in the exemption being canceled.”

“Let us work together and support our Government in the fight against COVID-19 to protect our families, our communities and our Country,” Commissioner Mangau said.

//End//

Malaita health authorities refute Kilu’ufi quarantine article

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Auki town.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

AUTHORITIES in Auki have refuted publication about a Priest undergoing quarantine in his home at Auki after returning from Ongtong Java on the MV Awka.

The story which Island Sun run on Thursday night was relayed to the paper by a senior medical staff at the Kilu’ufi Hospital in Auki.

According to the staff, the parish priest of the Dukwasi Anglican parish arrived in Honiara aboard the boat (Awka), he then travelled to Auki on the Pelican Express. Upon hearing of the COVID-19 transmission news, he contacted authorities and was asked to self-isolate at home.

But the story was refuted by a number of sources, including the Chairman of the Malaita Provincial Emergency Operation Centre for Covid-19 at the Kilu’ufi hospital, Dr Rex Maukera.

“These allegations are not true,” Dr Maukera explained.

Members of the Dukwasi parishioners also refuted the claims, adding that the priest and his family are undergoing quarantine at the Lord Howe settlement in Honiara.

But Dr Maukera said the Emergency Operation Centre is conducting follow-ups on those who boarded the ship from Ontong Java to Honiara and then on to Malaita province.

“The EOC is following-up on those who boarded Akwa to Honiara and came over to Malaita province.

“At the moment we are doing follow-up and will identify people then we will begin contact tracing,” Dr Maukera said.

Field hospital to only accommodate very ill patients

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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The Multi purpose hall used as a field hospital.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

THE Central Field Hospital will only accommodate very sick COVID-19 patients says Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Sogavare confirmed this in his national update on the COVID-19 situation in the country today.

“Only the very sick patients will be taken to the Central Field Hospital,” he said.

Sogavare adds that they are working to establish another two sites to accommodate other positive cases.

“We are working to establish another two sites, one being a former quarantine station that will become available today. Once completed these additional quarantine stations will increase our capacity to accommodate more COVID-19 patients that are asymptomatic and sick, “he said.

He also revealed that is already a widespread community transmission of COVID-19 in the capital city with pockets of infections already present in GIPPOL and Foxwood area.

“We expect pockets of infections to some of our provinces and are stepping up operations in anticipation”.

“Operations going forward, as you have seen daily numbers of COVID-19 are expected to keep increasing for a while as the community transmission gathers momentum,” Sogavare said.

Sogavare: People getting sick from the virus

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare

BY MAVIS N PODODKOLO

PRIME Minister, Manasseh Sogavare has confirmed that some people that tested positive for the COVID-19 virus are getting sick.

“We are seeing some people getting quite sick with the virus,” Sogavare said.

He adds that there is no adequate space at the Central Field Hospital to cater for all the diagnosed cases of COVID-19 

“We have no option but to adopt the same strategy used by other countries that were faced with the situation of inadequate facilities to look after COVID-19 positive cases,” Sogavare said.

He said due to the very limited facilities, the Oversight Committee has recommended all COVID-19 patients who are not sick, to remain at home and self-Isolate for 14 days.

Additional information will be provided on this aspect soon.

Post lockdown safe practices.

Written by
Press Release
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Members of the public must continue to observe COVID-19 safe practices post lockdown.

Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare emphasized the safe post lockdown practices as the current lockdown ends tomorrow, Saturday 22nd January.

  1. Limit movements into town.
    1. Wear face masks when leaving your homes. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR HOME IF YOU ARE NOT WEARING A FACE MASK.
    1. Practice social distancing of at least 2 meters distance from the next person.
    1. Use hand sanitizers or wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
    1. Do not congregate.
    1. Practice social distancing and use face masks when travelling in public transports – maximum of 3 people per taxi and only 2 people per row in public buses.
    1. Use masks when you go into shops and the market.

The 60 hours lockdown which was effective from 6 pm Wednesday 19th January ends tomorrow, Saturday 22nd January.

Solomon Airlines closes office, suspend flights

Written by
Press Release
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Solomon Airlines airbus

SOLOMON Airlines has aligned with the lockdown in Honiara and public health measures announced by the Solomon Islands Government on 19 January 2022, closing the national carrier’s Point Cruz Sales Office and Head Office in Honiara, and undertaking only essential aircraft and system maintenance.

The airline has also canceled all domestic flights until Sunday 23 January 2022.

Solomon Airlines international flights are now also suspended for passenger arrivals and departures to and from Honiara, including the Honiara to Brisbane service on Friday 21 January following direction from the COVID-19 Oversight Committee.  

The airline’s Friday service between Brisbane and Honiara will operate as a cargo-only flight, pending further advice from the Solomon Islands Government and approval to again accept passengers.

Solomon Airlines said the national carrier will consider further suspensions in accordance with any lockdown extension as directed by the Solomon Islands Government.

The airline is attempting to contact all affected passengers. 

Solomon Airline’s Australia Sales Office is remaining open and available for contact during office hours on (+61) 07 38605883 or email [email protected].

“As this change is effective immediately, we are doing our best to contact affected passengers and will provide further updates as soon as possible,” said Brett Gebers Chief Executive Officer of Solomon Airlines.

“Protecting the health and wellbeing of Solomon Islands people, our passengers, crew and staff is our highest priority and we will do our utmost to play our part,” he said.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will ensure the readiness of our aircraft to support any essential movement of cargo and medical resources during this time.

—SOLOMON AIRLINES

Malaita health awaits result of Awka crew tests

Written by
Press Release
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The Mv Awka

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

CHAIRMAN of the Malaita Provincial Emergency Operation Centre for COVID-19, Dr Rex Maukera has clarified that his office will only deploy to conduct contact tracing in the Southern region when tests results on the crew of the MV Awka is known.

Dr Maukera made the statement when correcting an article published by this paper via its face book page on Thursday night about a plan to send a team to Small Malaita and East Are Are.

According to the article, the Malaita provincial health team is planning to send a surveillance team to carryout contact tracing on passengers and those who had made contact with crews of MV Akwa during her recent trip to the region.

In the article, the team was said to be leaving for South-East Are Are this weekend to carry out their investigation.

In response to the article, Maukera said there is no plan yet as they are waiting for the result from the crew of the Akwa before making any plan.

He said the crew are the people of interest and whatever the outcome of their test will determine whether to deploy the team or not.

Maukera said this is their position on the matter as they continue to monitor it.

Government warns against obstruction of front-liners.

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Press Release
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Honiara is the beating heart of the country's economy.

THE government has reported that some people are obstructing front-line workers from carrying out swabbing when conducting COVID-19 tests.

Resisting and obstructing authorized officers carrying out their mandated duties in this time of COVID 19 community transmission is an offense under Regulation 47 of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 (“the Regulations”).

The offense carries with it a maximum penalty of $15,000.00 fine or, 5-year imprisonment or both.

 The Attorney-General John Muria (Jnr) issued this warning after receiving reports that a number of identified Honiara residents are obstructing and resisting COVID 19 swabs when approached by front liners.

“The government is aware, some people wanted for COVID 19 test are resisting being swabbed. These people must be warned, the penalty for resisting or obstructing the front-liners carrying out their duties is $15,000.00 fine or, 5-year imprisonment or both,” the Attorney General stated.

The Attorney General stressed, that the duties of the front-liners who are Authorised Officers under the Regulations are necessary to preserve public health, safety, order, and security during this time of COVID 19 community outbreak. Adhering to their directions, requests, or orders are to enable the protection of the people.

The Attorney-General said anyone who resists being swabbed by the health team without any lawful reason will be prosecuted. The front liners are carrying duties in the national interest and any person found resisting and obstructing authorized officers will be dealt with once the community transmission is controlled 

He reminds all that the government will no longer tolerate any more breaches. Such individuals will be charged and prosecuted under the Regulations after the current community transmission is successfully dealt with.    

The Government continues to applaud the outstanding work of our dedicated and committed frontline workers who give their all for their country in ensuring current community transmission is traced, contained and effects are kept at bay, he said.

Try to stress here that they will not be charged now but once everything settles, the relevant authorities will be taking the necessary steps to ensure that those in breach will be prosecuted.

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