PREMIER of Western Provincial is appealing to all ship owners to respect the province’s COVID-19 standard protocols enforced by the province and the national government.
This came after a vessel has breached the Western Province Response Plan Alert Level 3 which helped to spread the virus posing greater risks of COVID-19 transmission at the provincial capital, Gizo and other ports which the vessel visited.
Western Premier Christian Mespeitu said that whenever the country is under a State of Emergency (SOE), it is important to comply with the given regulations.
Premier Mesepitu warned they will penalise ships that breached COVID-19 protocols at the provincial level as agreed by the Western Province Government (WPG) executive.
This will be done by cancelling the licenses of the shipping companies to stop operating in the province under WPG jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, Mesepitu said the province will only allow ships to enter their waters purposely to deliver essential equipment or goods with prior approval from responsible authorities.
“My government will liaise with the national government through responsible authorities to make sure goods and services continue to reach the province,” he said.
By ULUTAH GINA
GIZO NEWS BUREAU