THE Western Provincial Government (WPG) will soon require only vaccinated market vendors will use the Gizo main market to sell their produce and other food products.
This means, ‘no jab, no market’ policy will come into force in Gizo.
The move comes as the province prepares for the reopening of the border between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands.
This week Premier of the Western Province David Gina has called out to all the market vendors at the Gizo market to get their jab done before it’s too late.
This week Mr Gina has issued a public notice to all the market vendors using the Gizo Market to get their jab done.
“COVID-19 has become a real threat for Solomon Islands and especially Gizo,” he said.
He said in PNG, the virus spreads like wild fire and affects many lives.
“The border between Bougainville/Shortland is very unpredictable. Therefore, as concern citizens we have to do something to protect our community and protect our loved ones, relatives and friends,” he added.
Premier Gina added the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands has clearly informed the nation to get vaccinated to protect our citizens of this country.
“For public officers in a simple but hard message he said; no jab, no job..
“It is my duty in my capacity as the Premier of Western Province, I would also like to echo the same message,” he said.
Therefore, he added with the market venue being a good avenue that the virus can be transmitted and become a threat to the Western Province he would like to encourage all market vendors to get vaccinated to stop the transmission at all costs.
“Protect our people community and loved ones and friends otherwise. I will very soon issue a stop notice, ‘No Jab, No Market,” he added.
Following the roll out of the vaccination team in Gizo, it was stated that few islands near Gizo have rejected to be vaccinated based on their church beliefs.
It is estimated about half of all the market vendors that normally use the Gizo Market did not get their jab.
Since the notice was issued the vaccination team continue to inform the public about the importance of getting vaccinated.
By ULUTAH GINA
GIZO NEWS BUREAU
