Solomon Islands: Officials to ease entry requirements, permit international travelers from July 1 /update 4

Event

Solomon Islands officials plan to reopen the country's border to international travelers from July 1. Under the revised measures, authorities will permit fully vaccinated travelers, regardless of purpose. Authorities will require arrivals to quarantine in Honiara for three days at their own expense and take another RAT before entering the community.

Domestic Measures
The government requires people nationwide to follow social distancing measures. Officials require at least two meters (6.5 feet) of physical distance and facemasks in public places. However, official statements indicate that enforcement is uneven to lax in many areas. Vaccination is also mandatory to use most public transport. Retail can operate, but owners, employees, and patrons must be fully vaccinated.

Authorities require COVID-19 cases and their designated close contacts to self-quarantine; positive cases must remain in isolation until receiving a negative test result. Close contacts must self-quarantine for six days and contact health officials if they begin to experience symptoms.

Interprovincial travel is possible; however, passengers must be fully vaccinated with a vaccination card and undergo a rapid antigen test (RAT) within 24 hours of departure for flights or on-arrival if flying into Honiara International Airport (HIR). Maritime arrivals to Honiara can undergo on-arrival testing but must wait at the port of arrival before entering the city.

International Travel Restrictions
Most international commercial flights remain banned until July 1. Solomon Airlines (IE) operates a weekly service to Brisbane, Australia. Repatriation flights are possible. Fully vaccinated citizens and foreign nationals can enter the country, though foreigners must obtain permission from the prime minister's office. Entrants must complete a Pre-Departure Questionnaire and Instructions on Conduct at least five days before departure flights. Officials also require a Pre-Departure Checklist submitted one day before departure. Permitted travelers must take COVID-19 PCR tests 9-11 days and within 72 hours before departure. Officials also require inbound passengers to receive a negative rapid antigen test result on the day of departure. Travelers must quarantine for six days at designated sites upon arrival at their own expense.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm business appointments, deliveries, work, and travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Ensure access to essential items and plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.