Solomon Islands: Authorities to impose curfew in Honiara and Guadalcanal May 20-22 /update 2

Event

The government of the Solomon Islands will impose a curfew in Honiara and on Guadalcanal from 18:00 (local time) on Wednesday, May 20, until 06:00 on Friday morning, May 22, as part of preparations to test the country's capabilities for an outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Authorities have stated that it is not an exercise as such, as an Order will be issued and police will have the power to arrest or fine those found to be violating restrictions during the curfew period. Police will set up multiple checkpoints and will be patrolling areas. Under the lockdown measures, no one will be allowed to leave their place of residence, all businesses will be closed, and no vessels will be allowed to leave or arrive at the Honiara port during the curfew times. Essential workers and emergency services will be exempt from the restrictions. Individuals who were granted exemptions during the last curfew in April will be required to reapply for new exemptions. A previous curfew exercise which was held on April 10-11, resulted in police arresting 63 individuals breaching curfew restrictions.

Earlier on Thursday, April 9, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare closed the maritime border with Papua New Guinea between the Shortland Islands and Bougainville to small craft due to COVID-19. The announcement is part of emergency orders introduced under the state of public emergency.

The current state of public emergency has been extended until July amid concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19. Authorities initially declared the state of emergency in March and enabled the triggering of the Emergency Powers Act which allows the government to allocate additional resources in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Solomon Islands citizens and permanent residents are permitted entry but must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Non-citizens remain barred from entering the country and Honiara International Airport (HIR) is closed to all scheduled international flights. Moreover, all arrivals to the country must complete a health declaration card detailing their state of health and recent travel history. Sick travelers on board of all arriving vessels and aircraft must be reported to authorities.

Cargo ships are required to remain offshore for 14 days before docking at either of the two ports that remain open; the Port of Honiara and the Port of Noro.

As on Tuesday, May 19, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Solomon Islands. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near and medium term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly, and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay. To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.