HONIARA will start adjusting to a new normal as health officers work to identify the magnitude of COVID-19 infection in Honiara City.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his special address this afternoon said “we are no longer in normal times”.
He said the Oversight Committee has recommended that the following actions be observed after the lockdown ends tomorrow morning (Saturday 22nd January).
- Limit people movement. Every to limit their movement into the city and to crowded areas.
- Business houses to adopt a COVID-19 safety approach.
- Mode of work is being reviewed to ensure productivity is retained while safety is enhanced
- School opening will be delayed for a week to further assess the situation and further decision to be done in the next week.
- Implementation of the Ontong Java engagement plan to contain and control COVID-19 in Ontong Java.
- Implementation of provincial emergency plans to put in place mechanisms to contain and control any spread of COVID-19 to provinces.
- To observe COVID-19 safe practices.
The Prime Minister said the number of positive COVID-19 cases will increase in the coming days
“This is a measure of the seriousness of the level of community transmission we are currently experiencing,” he said.
“Let us face this COVID-19 challenge. Together I ask you all to be tolerant of each other. Together we can win this war against COVID-19.
“We must always put our trust in our Almighty God. He will lead us through this new challenge that we face.”
The COVID-19 safe practices that the Oversight Committee asked the public to observe at all times are as follows;
- Wear facemasks when you leave home.
- Practice social distancing of at least 2 metres from the next person.
- Use hand sanitisers or wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds.
- Do not congregate.
- Practice social distancing and use facemasks when travelling in public transports. Maximum of three persons in a taxi and only two people per row in public buses.
- Use facemasks when going into shops and the market.
