Also what the media is quoted as saying today -
8 February 2022
A senior advisor to the country's health ministry, Dr Yogesh Choudri, told RNZ Pacific all five samples sent to Australia early on in the outbreak had been confirmed as the Delta variant.
As of Monday afternoon 3391 cases of the virus had been confirmed in the country with over 400 identified last Friday alone.
As of Sunday 33 people had died of the virus at the National Referral Hospital but health authorities say the real number is most likely higher as this does not account for people dying in their own homes.
"So the first samples that we sent we identified Delta variant in the five samples that we have sent. More samples have been sent on Friday, last Friday and we are waiting for the report. So in likelihood we have a Delta variant but it could be, it could just turn out to be a mix of variants," Choudri said
Separately, today, the Health and Medical Ministry has clarified that they are the only authorised body under the EmergencyRegulation to carry out Covid relateactivities like swabbing and testing.
This was confirmed by the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health and Medical Pauline McNeil.
“Under the current regulation only the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is the authorised body to facilitate and conduct any Covid-19 related activities like swabbing, testing and vaccination,” McNeil said.
She also confirmed that they are also authorised to give approval to third party to carry out these activities.
Ms.McNeil said they have not received request from them and no inspection is being launched to these private clinics that offered these covid-19 services for the ministry to provide them with some forms of certification.
“So we have no knowledge that these activities are ongoing in some of the private clinics but there may be an opportunity if only request is put through the ministry to discuss this matter with a third party.”
Attorney General John Muria Junior on the same note also confirmed that under the regulation all covid-19 related activities should come through Ministry of Health that is what stated in the Emergency Regulation.
The Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Jimmie Rodgers added for vaccination only the MHMS or its authorised officers can do that.
Mr. Rodgers stressed in terms of charges and pricing it can be discussed with the MHMS only if the third party is wishing to offer this Covid-19 services.
In further news released to the media today, the Government’s new policy direction focuses on the reconstruction and revitalization of Honiara businesses infrastructures destroyed during the rioting and looting from 24th – 25th of November 2021.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare made the announcement during his nationwide address last Sunday.
Mr. Sogavare said his government had two overarching policies since the beginning of the pandemic.
These were:
1 To prevent the entry of Covid 19 and to eliminate it at our quarantine stations if it entered.
2 To float the economy and to keep our economy engine room functioning
3 However, Mr.Sogavare said with the presence of community transmission, the first policy objective is no longer appropriate.
4 He said their policy direction must now focus on the new reality of leaving and emerging successfully from the pandemic.
Mr. Sogavare said the Government Caucus and National Cabinet will deliberate on the new policy direction this week
“Once approved, the new policy will guide the preparation of the 2022 budget among other things.
“They will also consider the national response plan to covid 19 challenge we now face,” he said.
Mr. Sogavare said he will inform the nation of the government policy direction after Cabinet endorses the new policy.
He said the policy will guide government ministries, state owned enterprises and the private sectors on how they plan to move forward to address Covid 19 and revitalize their economy simultaneously.
“The policy will also guide the ongoing consultation with our bilateral and development partners as we head towards the preparation of our 2022 budget and the estimate for the outer years,” he added.
Also the government will table a $4.16 billion budget in the upcoming sitting of Parliament around March.
The 2022 Budget drops down by 7.9% from $4.496 billion Revised Budget estimate for 2021.
The Government expects a total SIG Revenue of $3.496 billion, down by 6.2% from $3.714 billion in 2021 Revised Estimate Budget.
There will be a Recurrent Expenditure of $3.83 billion, up by 1.4% from $3.78 billion in 2021 Revised Budget.
This is to meet the operations of the line ministries and agencies.
For projects, there is a Development Budget of $950 million, up by 1.1% from $939.8 million in 2021 Revised Budget.
The budgets expects a deficit of $269.5 million, up by 141% from $111.1 million in 2021 Revised budget.
The 2022 Budget Focus Areas are:
a. Build domestic economy resilience
b. Covid-19 operations and preventive programs
c. Productive & Resource sectors, narrow and targeted investments and outputs that are designed to support economic growth and recovery
d. Target other revenue generating activities
e. Maintaining of key essential social services, education, health, safety/law, order and justice
f. The Other Charges Baseline & Budget Support are:
a. Other charges baseline across productive/resource sector Ministries maintain the Baseline for 2021
b. All fixed costs across Ministries including non-productive/resources sector Ministries also maintain baseline in 2022
c. Baseline for key Ministries not under productive/resource sector but mandated to provide essential services also maintain 2021 baseline
d. 15% reduction on certain discretionary budget lines across non-productive/resources sector Ministries
The theme of the Budget is: “Building Our Resilience: Laying Strong Foundations for Growth”.
It aims to:
1. To keep the economy afloat and accelerate growth
2. To protect our people and economy safe from Covid-19
1. KEEPING OUR ECONOMY AFLOAT AND ACCELERATING ECONOMIC GROWTH
2. Investing Our Resources Smartly and Prudently – Focusing Strategically on Two Key Sectors.
3. Productive Sector
4. Resource Sector
5. Create an enabling environment for growth and investment.
6. Developing key Economic Infrastructures and Facilities that support growth
7. Undertake and prioritise key legislative reforms to support growing the economy.
· PROTECTION AGAINST COVID 19 (Unwavering Support to Health and National Security)
· Border closure and control over international travel entry into Solomon Islands
· Set up border quarantine facilities and man power for incoming passengers
· Extensive roll out of vaccination across the country
· Government have allocated significant financial and budget resources in the fight against Covid-
Sources – Radio New Zealand and Island Sun newspaper.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
