THE Western Provincial Disaster Oversight Committee (PDOC) has extended the Lockdown until Monday 30th January.
The 3 days lockdown period which was endorsed by the Provincial Executive on 25th January after receiving reports and recommendations from the PDOC and Provincial Health Emergency Oversight Committee (PHEOC) has been extended to Monday.
The Premier of Western Province, Hon. Christian Mesepitu also addressed in his press statement yesterday (Saturday 29th)
‘’My good people of Western Province , may I informed the public that on Thursday 27th The Prime Minister, Manasseh Damukana Sogavare had declared Western Province as an Emergency Zone Border 2022. Under Emergency Power Act (cap.11). Emergency Power (covid-19) (NO.3) Regulations 2021,’’ Premier Mesepitu said.
He said Lockdowns for 5 identified areas specifically mentioned above are under this gazette and therefore to be maintained until Monday next Month.
The PDOC Chairman, Jeffrey Wickham said at the moment having Order in terms of Emergency zones in the event that if the virus is spreading abroad the communities at large in Western Province they can use the Lockdown.
Jeffrey Wickham said this can give way for us to give Order through the National Oversight Committee (NOC) and the Cabinet to lockdown the emergency zonings in parts of Western Province.
‘’Both PDOC and Provincial Health Emergency Oversight Committee (PHEOC) will be to make a request when to lockdown of the COVID-19 situation,’’ he said.
However he said the current lockdown is going good although there has been a quiet a lot of confusion going on between good people of Western Province.
He said but as it stance at the moment he is so happy that there a lot people have observed the 3 days lockdown.
‘’It is a good practice indeed because our lives are the risk and the fact that we control our selves, and observing the rules that is required is a good sign for our people of Western Province.
‘’It also help us in the future that if anything might happens, we can cooperate and work together to protect us from the virus.
Wickham added it is a first time for Western Province to run a lockdown in a wider aspect.
He said however we managed to get ourselves organized unlike Honiara they have done in 4 times.
He said and of course we might face obstacles and challenges but work must go on.
Following the first announcement of the Lockdown made by the PDOC there has been much confusion speculated from the public.
Some general public said the official declaration for the Lockdown must be declared from the Prime Minister, however the request of the Order has been gazette and the Lockdown will be extended to Monday 30th at 6am morning.
By ULUTAH GINA
GIZO NEWS BUREAU
