Fear of Covid-19 transmission prompts lockdown in Tulagi
Fear of a probable transmission of the deadly coronavirus has emerged in Tulagi township following reports that MV Awka made a stopover and berthed at the Silent World Jetty in Tulagi when it traveled from Honiara Ontong Java.
Tulagi
A localised lockdown has been imposed and restrictions of movement have been observed in the provincial township and surrounding communities.
Reports reaching SIBC News today said the stopover was due to a mechanical problem the ship encountered on its way to Honiara.
It says during its stopover, some passengers left the vessel and visited their relatives in Tulagi while some of them went shopping in shops and visited betel-nut street markets in Tulagi.
The report said restrictions of movement have been observed after it was agreed in a meeting between members of the Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) and of the Central Provincial Government Executive on 21st January 2022.
The restriction order includes, ships movement to be closely monitored and controlled at Silent World jetty, shops and other businesses are only allowed to open certain hours during day and OBMs berthing grounds are strictly monitored.
Central Provincial Premier Stanley Manetiva urged all Tulagi residents and locals of Ngella, Savo and Russell Islands to remain in their houses and communities and only go out when needed to buy household basic needs and services or go to clinics, while observing COVID-19 safety practices.
Premier Manetiva strongly advised all traveling public not to enter Central Islands Province while people from Ngella, Savo and Russell Islands are advised to delay their trip to Honiara until further notice.
Mr Manetiva assured that the Central Islands PDOC, Tulagi Police and members of Central Provincial Executive are working together to monitor the movement of people.
He said restricting people’s movement could reduce the spread of COVID-19.
by Charlie Salini