BOUGAINVILLEANS ARRESTED AND QUARANTINED

They were held overnight at Kulitanai where they were closely monitored by Officials as a requirement under the Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Thursday while communication have been made to the Covid-19 Oversight Committee in Honiara for advise on further action.

Kulitanai Police Post is unsuitable for institutional quarantining of COVID-19 suspected persons or any entries from infected countries. However, Police and SOLMAT Officers have been able to quarantine the two men using all available Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) during the operation.

Bougainville has so far recorded 1 positive case of covid-19 early this month. The suspect has escaped quarantine and is still at large causing greater risk to Bougainvilleans in Central and Southern parts of the Island.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare earlier this month has declared the borders of Shortlands, Choiseul and Malaita Outer Islands as emergency zones in response to the situation in Bougainville.

The two men have breached the current covid-19 State of Public Emergency regulation as well as the Solomon Islands Immigration Act.

Officials from the Western Border will take further actions on the two men upon advise from authorities in Honiara.

Source: GCU