BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
THREE passenger ships have been detained at Taro in response to the current community transmission of COVID-19 in the country.
Speaking to Island Sun Gizo last night, a passenger in one of the ships said passengers were confined on the boats awaiting health and medical officials to give decisions and directives.
The passenger said one of the ship travelled from Honiara to Wagina before police intercepted, redirecting it provincial capital Taro.
“From information I gathered, one of the ships came close to MV Awka after it (Awka) returned from the Malaita outer islands.
“I heard that MV Awka was berthing beside one of the ship and passengers from Awka walked across the ship to a Wharf at Point Cruz.
“I think this is one of the reason why the ship was stopped by police,” the passenger said.
The passenger explained that crews of one of the ship were exposed during the time when MV Awka was berthing besides the ship in question.
In an interview with Island Sun Gizo, Speaker of Choiseul Province, Greg Sokeni said the Choiseul Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) is still waiting for advice from Honiara before making the decision.
“There is two possible actions, one is to send the ship back to Honiara with the passengers or allow passengers to leave the ships and go home prior to fulfilling COVID-19 standard procedures.
“At the moment, the ships and passengers are berthing outside Taro,” he said.
Sokeni said Choiseul PDOC has activated its COVID-19 standard procedures with more focus to public and health protocols as well as procedures.
He said awareness programs have kicked off yesterday.
Sokeni said Choiseul Provincial executive will meet today to discussion further actions in response to the current situation.
