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Shipping services suspended

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Point Cruz main wharf where passengers board ferries back to their islands.(ABC News: Evan Wasuka)

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

ALL shipping services to provinces are suspended temporarily, according to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

“Shipping services to provinces are temporarily suspended until further notice,” Sogavare said.

He stressed that all ships from provinces to Honiara can still return.

“However, people from provinces are discouraged to travel to Honiara at this point,”Sogavare said.

Sogavare also stressed that all domestic flights to provinces be temporarily suspended until further notice.

“I ask for the understanding of all passengers from the provinces affected by these measures.

“However, as we do not know yet the extent of community transmission in Honiara, we cannot risk sending COVID-19 to provinces annoyingly,” he said.

Sogavare said overseas Cargo vessels, as well as fuel and gas tankers will continue to operate, as Solomon Islands depend on these vessels for survival.

“They do not pose high COVID-19 risk so they will continue to operate during the lock down period if necessary,” he said.

Sogavare said international flights are also on suspension, only humanitarian cargo flights to continue.

“All incoming passengers, all services from international flights will be suspended until further notice”.

“It is also safe for all international passengers to not enter the country at a time when all our resources are directed to managing the unfolding COVID-18 situation in the country,” he said.

Sogavare stressed that humanitarian cargo services will continue, other cargo services will be considered on a case by case basis.

Cooperation vital to determine state of covid transmission in Honiara.

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

Cooperation and obedience to health advice is vital to determine the extent of covid-19 transmission in Honiara as Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare called on members of the public to see health officials if they have contact with people arriving from Ontong Java on January 10.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare yesterday called on passengers arriving onboard MV Akwa on January 10 from Ontong Java together with their immediate contacts to call the health emergency operations hot line on 115 and 25256 for medical assistance.

“I urge all passengers arriving on MV Akwa on 10 January to call phone numbers 115 and 25256 to inform our health team where you are to ensure they can determine the state of COVD-19 transmission in Honiara,” Sogavare said.

The latest case was a passenger arriving from Ontong Java onboard MV Akwa that arrived in Honiara on 10 January after departing Luaniua, Ontong Java on 9 January.

There were many other passengers that travelled on the vessel from Ontong Java who are living in different parts of Honiara.

The health team has been busy since Monday this week to identify and contact trace passengers that arrived in Honiara from Ontong Java.

There were also reports that some of the people that travelled on the vessel are not well. It is likely some more people that travelled on the vessel may test positive.

“The COVID-19 situation in Honiara is much more serious than in Ontong Java right now because we do not yet know the extent of the spread of the virus in the city,” Sogavare warned yesterday.

Based on contact tracing information, people that travelled on the vessel were identified in four general locations in Honiara including the Lord Howe settlement at Mataniko, at a house in Ranadi Marine school area, a house in Naha, and a house in Tasahe. In the last 24 hours, health authorities are working around the clock to identify the exact location of all the passengers that arrived in Honiara from Ontong Java and determine the geographical boundaries of the spread of COVID-19 infection in Honiara

Unvaccinated population most at risk to Covid-19

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Press Release
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has warned that the country’s huge unvaccinated population is most at risk of catching covid-19 now that community transmission has hit the capital and Ontong Java this week.

Since vaccination was rolled out in the last 18 months, only 20% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated.

Most of the people in Honiara have decided not to take their vaccination despite continued request by authorities.

“All of you that have not been vaccinated are now the most vulnerable to contract COVID-19. Please be very careful and observe COVID-19 safe practices,” Sogavare warned yesterday when announcing the first case of community transmission from a passenger arriving from Ontong Java on 10 January.

Prime Minister Sogavare renewed his call for all adults in Honiara and all children between 12 years old and 18 years old to get their vaccines as soon as possible, warning that any delay will be catastrophic to their own lives.

The Ministry of Health will soon advise on locations for vaccination in addition to the current SIPA location in Honiara.

“Be prepared to see many people getting sick, some getting very sick and may even lose their lives,” Sogavare warned.

Health workers are actively undertaking contact tracing among the suspected population in the capital and urged people to observe the current lockdown and practice safe covid-29 measures at home or wherever they may be.

Geographical boundaries of COVID infection yet to be identified.

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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THE geographical boundaries of the infection in Honiara is yet to be established according to the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

“We have not yet established the full extent of the COVID-19 infection in Honiara, since this diagnosis.

 However, as the positive case lived in a household with other people, and as some other passengers that travelled on the vessel have been reported to be unwell, I am sad to inform you that we already have community transmission of COVID-19 in Honiara, “Sogavare said.

He said the most important priority at the moment  is they are now working on the exact locations as of yesterday.

“The most important priority in the next 24 to 48 hours is to (i) identify the exact location of all the passengers that arrived in Honiara from Ontong Java on 10th January 2021, and (ii) determine the geographical boundaries of spread of COVID-19 infection in Honiara.

“Once we determine these boundaries, we can focus on activities inside and outside of these boundaries,” Sogavare said.

Don’t throw the risk to us: Western PS

Written by
Ben Bilua
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WPG PDC Officials who attended the meeting yesterday

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PROVINCIAL Secretary of the Western Province is calling on the Oversight Committee and the national government not to throw risks to the Province.

Jeffrey Wickham made the comment in response to the Government’s proposal for international ships to do clearance at the Noro International Seaport.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Mr Wickham said the Noro International Seaport is not ready to do clearance due to lack of facilities and resources, especially when it comes to COVID-19 standard procedures.

“We have submitted our recommendations in October last year to better prepare Noro International Seaport for this type of situation but the government ignored our recommendations.

“Now the government through the oversight committee wants to force their way in to do what they want at Noro, this is not the right procedure. A right minded person can see the risk that not having proper setup will pose huge risks to people,” he said.

Island Sun Gizo sights eight (8) recommendations that the Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) sent to the government after their meeting with stakeholders at Noro last year.

Recommendations are as follows;

1. A jetty must be ejected within or close to Noro Seaport for the swab team.

2. A prefabricated building must be built for swabbing and POE teams. The building must accommodate shower and toilets, changing room, briefing room, PPE storage room, Waste PPE area, decontamination area and must be fenced.

3. There is a need for a 15 seater van to transport the swab teams to holding sites or quarantine.

4. A 60hp and boat for swabbing team transport to ships and also transporting samples to Gizo Hospital.

5. A small incinerator to burn PPES and swabbing wastes at Noro.

6. Budget for the swab operation.

7. A one-ton pickup truck for waste management at quarantine site and swab team holding site

8.  Freezer to store samples at Noro.

According to Wickham none of the above recommendations were made available since his team submitted the document.

He said there is no way that ship clearance will go ahead at Noro unless the recommendations are met or made available.

“Western Province will stick to its plan for the safety of its people. We will not allow ship clearance to be done at Noro. Full stop! Wickham says.

Sogavare: Be prepared to see the worst of COVID-19.

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has warned the country to be prepared for the worst of the deadly virus.

In his address yesterday, the Prime Minister said he can only pray that the community transmission will be contained and the country will overcome it.

“Be prepared to see many people getting sick, some getting very sick and many may even lose their lives.

May God almighty bless and protect us all during this challenging time for our nation”.

“May he protect our front liners that are putting their lives on the line once again to ensure all of us are safe, “Sogavare said.

He echoed the above statement in his special national address yesterday in Honiara.

NRH outpatient services closed

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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The National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

ALL outpatient services at the National Referral Services are closed.

This was confirmed by the office of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services yesterday.

“All NRH Outpatient services will be closed except for emergency department which includes.

–          Shortness of breath

–          Chest pains

–          Severe headaches

–          Painful boils

–          Severe abdominal pain

–          High fever and injuries

Call National referral Hospital on phone 44073, or 21068, or 44000 for any queries, “the Ministry of Health said.

Ministry of health also mentioned that all Honiara City Council health clinics will provide health services except for Vura and Mbokonavera clinics.

Suidani: I do not have authority to impose lockdown

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Press Release
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Premier of Malaita province Daniel Suidani

MALAITA Premier, Daniel Suidani says he does not have authority to impose lockdown in his province despite calls for him to do so.

In a statement, Suidani said the Premier including himself has no legal authority to impose any lockdown as the power rests with the Prime Minister under the current state of emergency regulations.

The Premier’s statement also comes as Ongtong Java, part of the Malaita Outer Islands is under a national lockdown due to community transmission of covid-19 on Pelau Island.

This has resulted in calls and concerns raised by some quarters of the province questioning why the premier has not made any calls for lockdown amidst the revelation that COVID 19 has now reached community spreading status.

He said at the provincial level there is a committee set up to deal with this issue.

“The committee would from time to time provide updates to me as and when new information comes through,” the Premier said.

At this stage the premier would like to call on all Malaitans to listen to the advice of authorities who are responsible for dealing with COVID 19.

Avoid any unnecessary movements in our communities. Do not spread rumors and help our authorities when they call upon you to assist. Avoid large gatherings and visit your nearby medical facility when you think you may have been in contact with infected persons.

Source: Office of Premier, Malaita province

Isabel imposes travel restrictions

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Admin
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THE Isabel Provincial Government has imposed travel restrictions as a result of covid-19 community transmission in the country.

In a statement last night, the speaker of the provincial assembly, Lawrence Hayward said this is part of the government’s efforts in monitoring and/ or preventing community transmission of Covid-19 within its rural communities.

 He said they are currently imposing a curfew, restricting anyone and everyone from travelling to Isabel Province from 6pm (19/01/22) to Sunday (23/01/22).

“The Isabel Provincial Government urges all to observe and comply with the travelling restrictions imposed by the curfew.

“I pray that you and your loved ones are well and safe,” he added.

Meanwhile, the speaker has further appealed to the people of Isabel Province to strictly adhere to lockdown rules, regulations and preventative measures put in place by the Authorities to prevent further spreading of the Corona virus. “If you haven’t taken the jab, please do so at the earliest convenience,” he added.

SFA allegedly backed Gov’t to defeat vote

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Forest Association is alleged to have backed the Government to defeat the no-confidence vote tabled against Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare last month.

Thirty-two members of DCGA voted against the motion with 15 supporting and two abstaining on the floor of Parliament.

Opposition Leader Mathew Wale filed the motion against Sogavare, accusing him of multiple corruption by using money from foreign loggers and China to secure his support in the house.

A reliable source told Island Sun the agenda to discuss the support for Sogavare during the vote came about after SFA Secretary Philip Tiew called all members to a meeting on Friday, 19 November 2021.

According to the email sent by Tiew to all SFA members, he said the agenda of the meeting included the discussion of the new Determine Value Schedule for fourth Quarter of Year 2021 proposed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

Tiew said because of the importance of the meeting, their President requested that only the owners, managing directors/directors and or senior executives are invited to attend.

“Your strong and rapport supports to SFA is much appreciated. Look forward to your participation in the meeting,” he said.

However, the source said SFA called the meeting as an excuse to raise funds to bribe ministers to support Sogavare in the anticipated vote of no confidence.

The source claimed small logging companies have contributed around $30,000 and big companies donated between $100,000 to $200,000.

But SFA President, Johnny Sy said he believed during those days nobody knows what’s going on, what they only knew is there will be Parliament seating that’s all.

Sy confirmed SFA did call a meeting to inform their members about the outcome of their meeting with the Permanent Secretary of Finance, which he don’t deny it, cause Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Forest always have consultations with the industries and member’s need to know the outcome.

“Maybe your reliable source didn’t understand when I ask them if they like to donate some more funds as their personal support for the Kukum Hospital equipment cause SFA can only fund the full hospital building but not including equipment because SFA funds are insufficient for Kukum Hospital that we are building for the people of Solomon Islands.

“During that meeting we also planned our ground-breaking before I left Honiara for my annual leave; unfortunately the riot happen before the planned ground breaking so we decided to postpone and will need to consult our members if we will still proceed on our plan to build and donate to SIG,” he said.

Sy said he was out of the country since December 3 so “how can I involve in the motion of no confidence?”

The SFA meeting took place before protestors turned violent and looted and burnt buildings at Chinatown, Kukum and Ranadi following an anti-government protest from November 24-26.

There are currently 74 logging companies that are members of SFA.

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