New 57 cases recorded, public advised to stay at home to avoid Covid-19 infection
HONIARA residents have been advised to remain at home to avoid the risk of exposure to covid-19 in view of the increasing number of cases in the capital.
Over a period of five days, health authorities have diagnosed 289 positive cases and is likely to increase further in coming days as contact tracing and testing continues.
Yesterday, the country has recorded 57 new Covid-19 cases.
Permanent Secretary of Health and Medical Services Pauline McNeil announced the new COVID-19 cases 1pm yesterday. A total of 126 samples were taken of which 57 came back positive.
This now brings the total number of COVID-19 positives to 320.
With the current situation, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare over the weekend called on Honiara residents to reduce movements in the city and stay at home to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus.
No lockdown is imposed, however, limited movement is allowed only for people to buy food and other necessities including visits to clinics.
“I ask all members of the public to remain in your homes and only go out if you need to buy food, water, power, medicines, or go to clinics or to work while observing COVID-19 safe practices,” he said in his fifth address, Saturday.
People wishing to move from one location to another must wear face masks and to provide vaccination and Identity cards to be able to enter business premises or public transports.
Shops may open for business subject to strict conditions including limiting the number of Customers permitted in each shop at a point in time using one customer per 4 square meters of space. Entry requirements including the number of customers must be clearly placed on shop fronts. Shops are also encouraged to provide hand sanitizers at entrance and exit areas.
Only shops whose owners and workers have been fully vaccinated are allowed to open. Any shop conducting business where the owners or workers are not fully vaccinated will be closed.
