THE weekly Friday flights from Brisbane, Australia and special chartered flights will continue to operate.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare confirmed this today when announcing the seven new COVID-19 cases detected in the country. These cases bring the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to 32.
Six of the seven cases are from Pelau in Ontong Java and one a foreign national that arrived from Brisbane, Australia, Friday last week.
Mr Sogavare said the positive case that arrived in Honiara from Brisbane on Friday has been transferred to the Central Field Hospital for further management and care under the country’s COVID-19 protocol.
“We will assess the impact of having community transmission in Ontong Java and positive cases in Honiara to determine our approach to further incoming passengers from overseas.
“Currently our weekly Friday flights from Brisbane and special charter flights are likely to continue to operate but with heighten pre-departure and post-arrival health assessments to minimise the risk of additional importation of COVID-19 in case arrivals through our international airport while we manage the community transmission at Ontong Java,” the Prime Minister said.
Meanwhile, Mr Sogavare said anyone who travelled from Ontong Java from January 10th this year and onwards to any other parts of the country must inform your nearest health clinic or police station.
“…it is also important that we also see you and test you for any possible infection,” he said as he called on all members of the public to start taking extra care from now on.
“…whatever you do please practice COVID-19 safe practices from this point on. I pray that God our protector will continue to protect us under his wings as we enter this new phase in our fight against COVID-19,” the Prime Minister said.
A medical doctor from Papua New Guinea who illegally crossed the border from Tasman to Pelau on 9th January 2022 brought the infection to Pelau
The doctor is from Tasman Island and has traditional ties with the people of Pelau, he was accompanied by nine other people including members of his family.
