BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Auki
THE Malaita Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) has scaled down on its covid-19 restrictions for shipping services to the province.
The scale down came after a decision by PDOC during a meeting held on Friday that resulted in the lifting of swabbing protocals for passengers at Auki wharf.
Acting chair of PDOC, Inspector Charles Eddie Koto told Island Sun that this was agreed to on Friday and was also effective on that day.
“We met on Friday and agreed to lift covid-19 swabbing activity for passengers, especially those departing Auki to Honiara.
“PDOC decided on the lift and will continue to monitor the covid-19 situation in the province,” he said.
In the meantime, Koto pointed out that only swabbing was lifted but the public must continue to practice and adhere to all other covid-19 protocols.
He said while swabbing is lifted, passengers will be monitored on vaccination cards and face masks when boarding ships at the Auki wharf.
Koto said this means all passengers who are eligible to get their vaccines must do so before boarding ships from Auki.
He said Auki vaccination centre opens Monday to Friday and whoever is yet to get their vaccines are called to do so.
This week Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced in his nationwide address that he will lift all domestic restrictions at the end of this month.
The lift covers domestic shipping, aircraft, gatherings in churches and other social gatherings as well as lift of restriction on international cargo vessels.
However, the Prime Minister appealed to the general public to continue uphold all covid-19 measures such as face mask, sanitizer and social distancing while the country is still faced with community transmission.
