Solomon Islanders stuck overseas have arrived today at the Henderson International Airport and taken to government Institutional Quarantine Facilities to undergo the mandatory 28 days quarantine.
After disembarking from the Solomon Airlines Carrier, the passengers were tested for thermal temperatures and then whisked away in waiting buses to the quarantine sites.
There will be a police presence at the quarantine centers, backed up by private security guards, and nobody under quarantine will be allowed to leave the facilities.
Karl Kuper, Chairman of the Camp Management Team established under the National Disaster Operation Centre (N-DOC), said strong security measures were in place to protect the public.
"This is very important to make sure that we don't have the risk of community transmission through the quarantine process," said Kuper.
He said the travelers would be required to stay in their hotel rooms, and hotel staff providing food and other essentials would be kitted out with personal protective equipment.
"People who are supplying those necessary items to the rooms including food will have the appropriate protective equipment at all times," he said.
All government agencies follow their Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The returnees upon arrival at the quarantine centres will be registered before accommodated into their respective rooms.
Among the Passengers who arrived today are some foreign essential government workers, Tina hydro experts and SOE personnel and diplomats cleared by the Government to enter the country.
While carrying out this repatriation exercise the Government is mindful of its obligation to ensure that the operation runs as smoothly as possible to ensure the safety of its people.
All necessary preventative measures have been considered and all standard operating procedures for sector committees involved activated. This include the mandatory 28 days quarantine period to be served by all returning nationals and foreigners arriving in the scheduled flights.
The second repatriation flight for stranded nationals in Fiji and Vanuatu is now confirmed for Wednesday 27th May. Solomon Airlines will be operating a Honiara-Port Vila-Nadi-Honiara trip. Flight clearance has been granted by the governments of Fiji and Vanuatu respectively.
Source: NDC