OF all passenger shipping vessels servicing Malaita Province, MV Taimareho is the first passenger shipping vessel to have confirmed its resumption of service along the Honiara-Auki route.
Many Malaitans who have been stranded in Honiara for the past two months since the declaration of covid-19 community transmission in the country which leads to the restriction of movement from Honiara and Provinces yesterday rushed to book their tickets for the trip.
MV. Taimahero’s first passenger trip to Auki is confirmed for Monday 14th March 2022.
Information reaching Solomon Star Auki claimed that many Malaitans have hurried to MV.Taimareho yesterday to book their tickets to ensure they are not missing out on the first available trip back to Auki.
While purchasing tickets in advance is seen as a perfect idea to secure space while demand for shipping service is high, purchasing of tickets seems to be not the only requirement to quality a passenger to travel as passengers were also required to get their covid-19 jabs, and undergo covid-19 swab test before boarding the ship.
This paper was told that passengers with no covid-19 jab and those who are tested positive of covid-19 will not be allowed to board the ship, meaning only those who are tested negative of covid-19 will be allowed to board the ship.
The travelling regulations have forced some unvaccinated Malaitans who wish to get back home with no other options, but to get their covid-19 jab as required which triggered many unvaccinated people to get their covid-19 jabs yesterday.
The covid-19 traveling restrictions in the past weeks have forced many Malaitans to travel to Malaita by outboard motors (OBMs) ignoring the covid-19 safety measures.
Many family men and women who went to Honiara in January for what supposedly a short trip have found themselves away from their families for two months due to covid-19 restrictions, and this trip offers them a chance to reunite with the families.
This first passenger trip is expected to fill to maximum capacity given the huge number of stranded Malaitans who wish to return back home.
Another boat which will operate next week is Pelican Express. It had opened up for booking as well.
By WILSON SAENI
Auki News Bureau
