EVERY member of the public is now asked to present your vaccination certificate with a photo ID when entering any business or public transport.
The types of IDs accepted are driver’s license, voter card of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands NPF card or passport for verification.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his address this afternoon said businesses will open subject to the following measures;
- Limit the number of customers permitted in each shop at a point in time using one customer for four square metres of space.
- Each shop owner must measure the area for customers and put on the door the number of customers allowed to enter each time.
- Only customers who are fully vaccinated and wearing facemasks are allowed to enter the shops.
- All shop owners ensure you verify the customer is fully vaccinated before entering.
- All customers take your vaccination card with you as proof of vaccination.
- Each shop must provide hand sanitizers at the entrance and exit of each shop.
- All customers must wear facemasks all the time.
Mr Sogavare said only shops whose owners and workers have been fully vaccinated are allowed to open.
“Any shop conducting businesses where the owners or workers are not fully vaccinate will be closed.
The Government began implementing tougher measures in Honiara as the number of COVID-19 positive cases in the country reached 289. Of this figure, 264 are recorded in the past five days alone.
With regards to public transport services, the Prime Minister said the prescribed maximum passenger limit are as follows;
- Taxis 3 passengers including the driver.
- Public buses 2 passengers per row
- Taxi drivers, bus drivers and conductors must be fully vaccinated and must always wear facemasks.
- Traffic Police will check on vaccination cards in addition to driver’s licenses
- Passengers must show their vaccination cards before they can board a bus.
- No large public gatherings (maximum number of people allowed in a public place is five.
The Prime Minister also announced that all casinos, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs are closed.
He said hotels who have guests may serve their customers but are not open to the public.
He added that cargo vessels are also suspended and will be reviewed early next week.
“People from provinces are advised to delay their travel to Honiara at this point in time,” Mr Sogavare said.
