PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says all official work should cease no later than 12 midday on Wednesday, 19th of January 2022.
In a special address on the COVID-19 situation in the country this morning, Mr Sogavare said this is to allow people to buy food to last for at least three days.
“In anticipation of a lockdown all employees in Honiara including public servants and those in the private sector, official work should cease no later than 12 midday today to allow people to buy food to last for at least three days,” the Prime Minister said.
Mr Sogavare made this announcement after one positive Covid-19 case was detected in Honiara.
He said for public servants the Ministry of Finance and Treasury will work with the Central Bank of Solomon Islands and commercial banks to transfer your salaries into your accounts by midday today.
“Members of the public from today you are requested to limit your movements into town, wear facemasks when you leave your homes if you do not have face masks please buy and use them or do not leave home.
“Practice social distancing of at least 2 metres distance from next person, use hand sanitisers or wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, do not congregate, use masks when you go into shops and the market.
“Shop owners please supply masks to any customers that come into your shops.
“Bus and taxi operators do not overload buses and taxis, most taxis to take a maximum of three passengers only. Buses ensure at least two people per row. Bus drivers, conductors and passengers to wear masks and put hand sanitisers in the bus for people to sanitise their hands.
“All mass gathering including sports will be temporary suspended until we can quantify the level of community transmission.
“Shipping services to provinces suspended until further notice.
“Ships from provinces to Honiara can still return except if there is a lockdown for Honiara.
“However, people from provinces are discouraged to travel to Honiara at this point,” Mr Sogavare said.
To the crew and owner of MV Akwa, Mr Sogavare said MV Akwa must now remain in Honiara port for the health team to undertake a comprehensive assessment on its crew and travel history.
“All domestic flights to provinces are temporary suspended until further notice
“I ask for the understanding of all passengers to the provinces affected by these measures,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Sogavare said the government will be meeting with all its partners today to discuss the rapid mobilisation of extra support needed to respond to a community transmission in Honiara, Ontong Java and if this community transmission is spread to the provinces.
