Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has said Cabinet has directed the Oversight Committee to develop the framework for the reopening of our borders.
Speaking during his nationwide address, the Prime Minister said work towards the reopening of our borders is well underway with the establishment of a ‘Border Reopening Subcommittee’.
The Prime Minister said the subcommittee has been tasked to undertake the analysis and recommend options to be considered by Cabinet.
Prime Minister Sogavare said the Subcommittee is expected to submit its report to the Oversight Committee for presentation to the Cabinet for its deliberation and decision on a target date to reopen our international borders.
“The national Cabinet has set the target vaccination coverage to re-open our borders at 90 percent of the total eligible population of 414,327 people which is 372,895 people,” he said.
The Prime Minister said this level of coverage would provide adequate level of protection including for those that had not been vaccinated such as children under 18 years of age.
“We have seen many countries reopen their borders and are on the way to reestablish their economies that were shut down by the pandemic,” he said.
Prime Minister Sogavare said all countries that have managed to reopen their borders are doing so only because they have reached more than 75% full vaccination of their total eligible populations.
He said unlike many of the island countries including Solomon Islands, we are still focused on protecting our borders and limiting business and trading opportunities.’
Source. Solomon Times Online.
Cabinet Approves Risk Categories for Incoming Passengers
Prime Mnister Sogavare says that bringing our citizens home comes with risks, and the government is
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says Cabinet has approved a recommendation by the Oversight Committee (OC) to establish three risk categories for incoming passengers.
“This is another measure to prepare the country when re-opening our borders,” Sogavare said.
“Cabinet has lifted the suspension on incoming international flights, lifting of the suspension means the Oversight Committee can now schedule incoming flights and only people approved by the Oversight Committee subcommittee will be allowed to enter.”
Mr.Sogavare says the new measure will have different predeparture and quarantine requirements for all incoming passengers. The three risk categories are for those travelling from, or transiting through, a country that is classified as COVID-19 free, has moderate risk or high risk.
Mr.Sogavare explained that for those passengers traveling from a country classified as COVID-19 free there will only be 1 predeparture test 72 hours before the flight date and 7 days quarantine on arrival. Passengers will also be required to take 1 test while in quarantine on day 6 or 7, and discharged on day 7 if negative.
He says even if passengers originated from a COVID-19 free country but transited through a moderate risk country, they will be required to spend 10 days in quarantine and have 2 tests, and released on day 10 if both tests negative. If they transited through a high-risk country, they will be required to spend 14 days in quarantine and have 3 tests, released on day 14 if all tests return negative.
The Prime Minister says if passengers originated from a moderate risk country, they will be required to undergo 1 predeparture test 72 hours before the flight, and spend 10 days in quarantine on arrival. They will also take 3 tests on day 2, 9 and 10, while in quarantine and discharged on day 10 if tests return negative. If they transit through a high-risk country than they will spend 14 days in quarantine and have 3 tests conducted, and released if all tests are negative.
Mr.Sogavare says if passengers are from a high-risk country, they will be required to do 2 predeparture tests; the first test has to be between 9 to 11 days before travel date and the second test 72 hours before travel date. They will also be required to spend 14 days quarantine after arrival, and have 3 tests conducted while in quarantine on days 2, 7, 13 and discharged on day 14 if all tests return negative.
He says for those travelling with unvaccinated dependents under 18 years of age the following will apply. If from a COVID-19 free country, 10 days quarantine and two tests. If from moderate risk countries 14 days quarantine and three tests. If from high-risk countries 21 days quarantine and four tests.
Mr.Sogavare says that bringing our citizens home comes with risks, and the government is working hard to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to manage these risks.
Source. Solomon Times Online.
Balancing Sustainability and Growth Key to Tourism Sector Recovery
In separate news“Tourism is critical to many Pacific economies. It supports the livelihoods of thousands of people, attracts investment, and helps value and safeguard natural resources. It will also be an important driver of the region’s economic recovery from COVID-19,” said Dr Sara Currie, PSDI’s Tourism Expert, and I quote her words.
The tourism sector in the Pacific has been significantly damaged by the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
But there is potential for positive transformation as the industry looks to rebuild and grow, according to a new series of publications from the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB’s) Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI).
“Tourism is critical to many Pacific economies. It supports the livelihoods of thousands of people, attracts investment, and helps value and safeguard natural resources. It will also be an important driver of the region’s economic recovery from COVID-19,” said Dr Sara Currie, PSDI’s Tourism Expert.
“For economies that rely on tourism, policy and investment decisions made now can drive growth for years to come—these publications provide information and guidance for policymakers and the private sector that can help inform those choices.”
The publications include 14 country tourism snapshots and a regional assessment: Looking Forward Vol. 1: Evaluating the Challenges for Pacific Tourism after COVID-19. They provide an overview of the Pacific tourism sector before the pandemic, identify new and existing challenges and opportunities, and provide recommendations to guide the sector’s recovery.
“Having a snapshot of the Pacific tourism industry before the pandemic will help governments and regional bodies assess the full impact of the downturn and move forward in an improved, inclusive, and sustainable way,” continued Dr Currie.
“If the sector can rebuild by addressing existing challenges while also seeking opportunities to consciously improve on the previous status quo, we should see Pacific tourism not just bounce back to where it was but evolve in a way that balances sustainability and growth.”
The publications highlight key policy options to guide the tourism sector as it navigates the recovery process. They emphasize the potential for an enhanced regional approach that favors cooperation over competition and allows the region to share resources to promote long-term sustainability. Improving data collection to ensure the region has access to reliable and robust tourism sector indicators will also be critical for evidence-based tourism policies and planning.
End of quote.
Source: ADB/PSDI
Footnote
PSDI is an ADB technical assistance program undertaken in partnership with the governments of Australia and New Zealand. PSDI supports ADB's 14 Pacific developing member countries to improve the enabling environment for business and to achieve inclusive, private sector-led economic growth.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region
PSDI is an ADB technical assistance program undertaken in partnership with the governments of Australia and New Zealand. PSDI supports ADB's 14 Pacific developing member countries to improve the enabling environment for business and to achieve inclusive, private sector-led economic growth.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
