PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has revealed that some of the returning nationals have not complied with country’s quarantine regulations.
Mr Sogavare highlighted this during his fortnightly nation-wide address, Friday.
“Fellow citizens, you have the right to know that some of our returning citizens have not complied with our quarantine requirements while serving quarantine.
“These people, including students, labour mobility workers and some senior government officials have been mixing freely while in quarantine when they are not supposed to.
“Such behaviours breach COVID-19 regulations and can cause community transmission of COVID-19,” Mr. Sogavare said.
He added all returning nationals know they are supposed to remain in their rooms while in quarantine.
“They do not come out except to collect their food outside their room doors during mealtimes.
“They all signed compliance forms before they were allowed to board their flights.
“The quarantine rules are placed in each quarantine room.
“No returning citizen except babies, and children that cannot read, has any reason to not follow the quarantine rules,” Sogavare explained.
However, he said this problem only occurs with our returning citizens.
“All foreign nationals that enter our country follow our requirements strictly.
“It is very sad that some of our own citizens blatantly disregard the quarantine rules.
“This simply means these individuals do not really care about the people of this country.
“It raises serious questions on whether we should continue to spend so much time and effort to repatriate such people whose actions continue to endanger our frontliners and our country,” Sogavare said.
Prime Minister then reminded all nationals serving quarantine to follow the quarantine rules without fail.
“We will no longer tolerate any more breaches. In addition to extending quarantine times, such individuals will be charged under the SOPE,” Sogavare said.
By ESTHER NURIA
Newsroom, Honiara
