Solomons to observe a 36-hour test lockdown
Islets in Western Province of the Solomon Islands. Photo: AFP. Sketched by the Pan Pacific Agency.
HONIARA, May 18, 2020, RNZ. Solomon Islands police are pleading with people to observe a 36-hour lockdown later this week, Radio New Zealand reported.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said the lockdown was to test the country’s capability for any possible Covid-19 case.
The Solomons is yet to confirm any cases of the coronavirus, but together with the government the police force is embarking on new efforts to prevent any outbreak of the virus in the country.
The lockdown, which follows one held in the second week of April, will begin at 6pm on Wednesday and finish at 6am on Friday.
Acting Police Commissioner, Mostyn Mangau, said it was not an exercise, and that police would arrest anyone who contravened orders for the public to stay at home. The only people allowed out are essential workers.
Despite difficulties faced under emergency restrictions in recent weeks, police have commended public co-operation in the country
During a visit to Tulagi last Friday, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force’s Deputy Commissioner Operation Juanita Matanga met with officers of the Central Province Emergency Operation Centre (PEOC) about their preparations in the case of an outbreak.
“RSIPF is assisting the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in conducting a nation-wide awareness programs on the virus to our people in Solomon Islands,” the deputy commissioner said.
“I would like to thank the provincial government, health workers, police officers and members of the PEOC in Central Province for working together in the fight against the coronavirus despite some of the challenges encountered so far.”
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