The Government has approved a simulated lock down drill in the coming days to test our preparedness should a real lockdown is imposed in an event of any COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced the mock lock down exercise in his address to the nation Friday last week.

A lock down, according the Prime Minister, means that we close the borders of our designated emergency zones completely from engaging with the rest of the world and with our own citizens.

Currently, the emergency zone is Honiara, where the seat of Government and commerce and industries are located.

Government authorities are working on our preparedness for any lock down event across the capital.

“I want to make it clear that there is still no lock down within Solomon Islands. People are still free to move around. However, if an order is made to lock down then it means people will be prohibited from travelling between provinces and Honiara,” Mr Sogavare said.

The Prime Minister had encouraged people who have no commitments in Honiara to travel back to their provinces while there is still an opportunity.

“I want to make it clear that there is still no lock down within Solomon Islands. People are still free to move around.

However, if an order is made to lock down then it means people will be prohibited from travelling between provinces and Honiara,” Mr. Sogavare said.

Once a lock down is ordered all travelling to and from Honiara will be restricted.

Curfews will also be imposed which will restrict the movement of people within Honiara as well.

Source: SIG News Service