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Chinese nationals alleged of breaching quarantine protocols yet to be charged

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE has confirmed that the two Chinese nationals alleged of having breached quarantine protocols are yet to be charged.

Deputy Police Commissioner Ian Vaevaso said the investigation has been completed and the file has been sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for viewing.

“That process has been completed and the file has been sent back to the investigators with recommendations that there are issues needed to be patched up before deciding on the charge against the two,” Vaevaso said.

He said that currently the file is with the investigators and once those issues raised by the DPP’s office are sorted, then the file will be sent back to them for advice on what charges will be laid.

This is the investigation into the incident involving two Chinese nationals at the Pacific Casino Hotel covid-19 quarantine centre on September 3, 2020.

It was reported to police that a vehicle entered the Pacific Casino Hotel premises and a parcel was passed to another person in the vehicle by the Chinese national under quarantine at the Hotel through the ventilation window of a room on the southern side of the premises.

PM GIVES 2-DAY DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS OUTSIDE HOTELS

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Photo supplied.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands students in the Philippines have been asked to move into government-arranged hotels or face being left behind.

Majority of students have moved into hotels arranged by government as accommodation centres in its plan to repatriate the students. However, a number of students have not yet made the move into these hotels.

Yesterday, in his special national address, prime minister Manasseh Sogavare gave these students a two-day ultimatum to either move into the hotels or face being left alone to find their way back home at their own cost.

“To our students in the Philippines who have not yet shifted to the government arranged hotel from yesterday, you have the next two days (Friday and Saturday) to all shift to the hotel.

“If you do not shift to the hotel, we will assume you are not interested to be considered under the government arranged repatriation program and that you will look after your own repatriation costs.

“I implore the parents or guardians of the students who are still living outside of the government arranged hotels in Manila to ask their children to move to the hotels within the next 48 hours.

“Failure to do this will mean that any student who had not shifted to the government arranged accommodation will be responsible for their own repatriation. Government will only be responsible for those that are in the government arranged accommodation,” he said.

POLICE ONTO SOCIAL MEDIA POST OF ISOLATION BREACH

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Police are investigating a viral social media post claiming that the first covid-19 patient had breached protocols and had gone out of site to chew betel nut, coming into contact with public.
Police say those behind the post will face the law.

Deputy Police Commissioner Ian Vaevaso confirmed yesterday during a press conference that police will investigate the poster for spreading rumour that the first covid-19 patient at the Isolation ward had breached isolation protocols and went to chew betel nut along the betel nut stalls outside of the morgue.

He said the Ministry of the Health and Medical Services had made their own internal investigation and found that information to be untrue.

Therefore, police will pursue the false information that was posted in the social media, Vaevaso said.

Last week there were reports that alleged the first covid-19 patient at the Isolation ward had breached isolation protocols and went to chew betel nut along the betel nut stalls outside of the morgue.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Monday this week revealed that NHEOC had conducted an investigation into those claims and also found them to be false.

“On this note, MHMS kindly requests members of the public not to spread false rumors or speculations as this might cause unnecessary panic, fear and anxiety. It is important for the public to note that spreading of false rumors is an offence under the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No.3) Regulations 2020,” Sogavare said

Sogavare said all communications between patients in isolation and doctors and nurses are done via mobile phones to minimise associated risks of coming into contact with the patients.

He reiterates that necessary infection prevention and control procedures have been strengthened. Families and relatives wishing to drop off food to the patients at isolation are advised to drop food in disposable containers at the NRH Emergency Operation Centre.

JUVENILES, MOST OF 23 ARRESTEES: Police

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Admin
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Juveniles make up the most of a recent mass arrest by police in the Western province.

Deputy Commissioner Ian Vaevaso says it is sad to see juveniles involved in the incident that occurred at Patmos Island, Roviana lagoon at the Western Province on October 11, 2020.

He said that a total of 23 suspects were arrested on October 14 for allegations that they were involved in burning and destroying properties belonging to a CFC leader.

Vavevaso said those arrested were members of the CFC religious group and reports that police gathered said that they were not happy with their leader and as a result those young people took law into their own hands.

Vaevaso said the leader of the CFC group and his family are now the victims of arson, threatening violence and damages of the victim’s properties, and are moved to another village for their safety.

“When police arrived at the scene of the incident the suspects did not resist arrest,” Vaevaso said.

However, Vaevaso said the situation at Patmos Island is under control as police are now present at the scene doing their investigations.

He further calls on the people at Patmos to support police with their investigation.

AUKI POLICE ARREST 3 AFTER MOTION RESULT

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI
AUKI

AUKI Police have arrested three men related to Tuesday’s motion of no confidence on Malaita’s Premier.

The three, police say, were involved in unlawful disturbances after the defeated Motion was announced.

Provincial Police Commander Malaita, Chief Suprintendant Stanley Riolo said the men are supporters of the non-executives.
Riolo said they have been charged with unlawful disturbance in public.

Two were released the next day, while the third was remanded further due to previous cases.

Riolo said he’s a wanted man by police for involvement in arson cases in Fataleka.

He also confirms that the incident of threat on the two MOI MPAs has been reported to police and that they are investigating it.

Riolo thanks Auki public for the overall peaceful behaviour during the motion vote.

“Auki and Malaita province are our home and we have the responsibility to care and look after it.

“I appealed for similar good behavior all throughout and to maintain law and order in our province to live in peaceful and harmony with each other,” he said.

YECSI UPDATES OPMC

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YECSI
YECSI

For youth business organization- Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI) – it is a tick in the box for them to have the opportunity to do presentation for policy officials in the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC).

Yesterday (Thursday 15th October) YECSI’s founder and chairlady Millicent Barty and YECSI’ Coordinator Emmanuel Pitakaka had the privilege to do presentation for officials from the Policy Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (PIMEU) in the OPMC.

Besides educating the officials about YECSI and its work with youths, Pitakaka also provide details about the local programs the YECSI rolled out to date.

According to Pitakaka several programs have been rolled out to date by YECSI but one particular program that is on- going is the Enovation blo umi program where 40 young entrepreneurs undergone three phases of online business training.

Founder and chairlady of YECSI Millicent Barty said one of the underlying aims of the EBI program is that at the end of phase three of the program there is expectancy that few young entrepreneurs will be admitted into the formal business sector.

She added that by getting into the formal sector, young entrepreneurs will provide more job opportunities for others and they will contribute as well to the national economy.

Ms Barty said the country has 16,000- 18,000 job seekers every year and of these staggering number only 4,000 jobs are available in the market.

The YECSI founder and chairlady said YECSI is targeting those that are left- out and jobless, it is about transforming the job seekers into job creators.

While acknowledging YECSI’s presentation, Deputy Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Derick Mane said YECSI is an example of an organization that work to address issues that directly relating to government policies.

Dr Mane said YECSI is playing a pivotal complementary role in that it addresses areas where relevant government authorities are not able to address.

Summing up the meeting, Bernard Bata’anisia, National Consultant in PIMEU speak highly of the meeting saying it is a privilege to have a youth oriented organization that actually do the work on the ground to meet with policy officials in the OPMC and Government.

Bata’anisia said the connectivity between policy officials and implementers must be harnessed to ensure synergy between policy statements and work on the ground.

Bata’anisia highlighted that the next steps are to ensure government is able to factor in assistance to Organizations, like YECSI, through the relevant line Ministries.

  • GCU Media Release

4 SI students in Philippines test positive

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Photo: Google

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

FOUR of our students in the Philippines have tested positive for covid-19.

They have been taken in by the Philippines Red Cross to be kept in isolation and monitored, prime minister Manasseh Sogavare announced in his special national address yesterday.

Government does not say whether they are asymptomatic or otherwise.

One of the four was pregnant during diagnosis and has since delivered her baby. Both mother and infant are in hospital and will be transferred to the Philippines red cross facility to be quarantined, Mr Sogavare said.

“The other three positive cases are already in Red Cross accommodation to complete their quarantine,” he said.

Sogavare urges Solomon Islands students in the Philippines who have not yet moved into government-arranged hotel accommodation to do so quickly.

“You have the next two days to all shift to the hotel.
“If you do not shift to the hotel, we will assume you are not interested to be considered under the government arranged repatriation programme and that you will look after your own repatriation costs.

“I implore the parents or guardians of the students who are still living outside of the government arranged hotels in Manila to ask their children to move to the hotels within the next 48 hours.

“Failure to do this will mean that any student who had not shifted to the government arranged accommodation will be responsible for their own repatriation. Government will only be responsible for those that are in the government arranged accommodation,” he said.

Photo: WHO website

THIRD CASE

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Admin
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Photo supplied.

Country records another covid-19 positive student in Chengs quarantine centre

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

The country has recorded its third case of covid-19.
The patient, a student in the Philippines repatriation flight, was detected in his third mandatory covid test and like all cases so far, he is asymptomatic.

He has been transferred to the national referral hospital (NRH) isolation unit, where the first two cases are also be kept.
It is highly likely that he had contracted the virus here, while in quarantine.

Government is quick to reassure citizens that covid-19 is being contained within the walls of the Chengs quarantine centre.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, announcing the third case in his special nationwide address yesterday, said, “Today (yesterday), I again stand here to inform the nation that we now have our third confirmed case of covid-19. He was diagnosed overnight during the routine 3rd test under our testing protocol for all returning nationals.

“The person is a student that came on the repatriation flight from Philippines. Contact tracing has commenced to establish the possible source of infection.

“The person has been transferred to the National Referral Hospital Isolation Unit for further observations and management.
“Like our first two positive cases, this person does not show any signs of illness,” Sogavare said.

Government, earlier this week, had warned that more cases were likely to occur after an assessment on the Chengs quarantine centre found that the students there had been breaching rules and guidelines by ‘mingling’ and ‘congregating’.

So, the latest case comes as no surprise, Mr Sogavare said.
“We are therefore relieved that we only record one additional positive case, because there could have been more. So, we thank our Heavenly father he is still looking after our nation and our students.

“The results of the upcoming fourth round of testing under our protocol which will take place between days 19 and 21 after arrival in the country which will be between Sunday 18th and Tuesday 20th October, will give as a better indication on status and the likely projection of the Covid-19 infection in the country,” said Sogavare.

He assures public that the covid-19 outbreak is contained within the Chengs quarantine station.

“I have been reassured that our students in Chengs quarantine station are now taking their responsibilities seriously. I thank the students for this.

“Fellow citizens, it is important for the students and the public to know that if we contain and eliminate covid-19 from the Chengs quarantine station, we will assume our covid-19 free status again.

“So, to all our students, our frontline workers, and all of us, we have a collective responsibility to work together to ensure the covid-19 virus does not go beyond the walls of the quarantine station,” he said.

Photo: Supplied

WOMEN’S PL TOP CLASH

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Admin
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BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

The Solrais Women Premier League will be played at the home of football, Lawson Tama for the first time in the inaugural competition this year on Saturday 17th at 11AM.

This will be the clash of table leaders, Koloale FC and RSIPF.
Koloale FC on 21 points will be looking to add 3 points for a tie-on top seat with RSIPF on 24 points in round two.

It will be a thrilling match is scheduled ahead of two TSL fixtures.

“Fans who purchase tickets for the match can stay in the stadium to watch the two Telekom S-League fixtures scheduled later in the afternoon,” the Solomon Islands Football Federation media stated.

This will before TSL match week 11 fixtures;

FC Isabel United VS Real Kakamora FC – 2PM
Laugu United FC VS Malaita Kingz FC – 4PM

“The match will be live stream on the Solomon Islands Football Federation Facebook page,” SIFF statement reads.

Meanwhile, three more matches will be played on Sunday 18th in the league’s match week 9 at DC Park, Henderson.

Sunday 18th

Haura FC VS Frigates United – 12PM
Marist FC VS Solright FC – 2PM
Renbell Ibis VS Naha FC – 4PM

Photo: SIFF Media

Mini games postponed

Written by
Taromane Martin
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By TAROMANE MARTIN

The Pacific Games Council (PGA) has granted the Northern Marianas request to postponed the 2021 Pacific Mini Games to 2022.

The PGA in a statement said this was at the request of the Northern Mariana Islands Governor Honorable Ralph Torres and the Northern Marianas Sports Association.

PGC said with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of the 2018 Super Typhoon Yutu and after the original dates of June 2021 were effectively rendered impossible by the rescheduling of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

“In light of containing the COVID-19 situation and in consultation with the 22 member Pacific Games Association, The Pacific Games Council has agreed to the request of the Commonwealth of
Northern Mariana Islands Governor, The Hon. Ralph Torres, and the host PGA, the Northern Marianas Sports Association, to defer the 11th Pacific Mini Games until 17-25 June 2022,” the statement reads.

“Earlier this year, the original dates of June 2021 were effectively rendered inoperable by the rescheduling of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

“The PGC then requested that the hosts in the CNMI consider a December 2021 time frame for the Games. However, the schools and associated infrastructure required to accommodate, feed and transport the athletes, will still be required for education purposes at that time, with the CNMI education calendar aligned to that in the U.S

“The PGC and its membership is therefore proud to support the CNMI in their ambition to host their first ever Pacific Mini Games in June 2022, notwithstanding the many challenges of COVID-19 and 2018’s Super Typhoon Yutu, which have damaged the CNMI economy.

“President Vidhya Lakhan personally thank Governor Torres for his continued support for the CNMI hosting their first ever Pacific Mini Games in 2022, despite the economic and health challenges posed by the pandemic.

“He said that the member Pacific Games Associations stand ready to support these Games in 2022 and we all wish the CNMI the best of luck as it deals with the challenges, we are all facing at this time,” the statement adds.

Meanwhile, Solomon Islands preparations to host the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara is ongoing. A 17 project team members from China are still in the country to finalize design plans for the seven China funded facilities for the games.

The design staff are expected to return to China at the end of the month, once their concept designs are completed, and should be able to finalize their work before the end of the year.

“By the way things are going they should be able to do the design work by December and they’ll go back to China to get the government to tender for construction. So that should give them ample time for them to prepare to come and commence the work on the first of May,”. NHA Christian Neing had said.

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