Solomon Islands has recorded its 19th case of COVID-19.

“I very much regret to inform the nation that we have one new case of covid-19 in our border quarantine station”, Sogavare says.

The 19th confirmed person is a foreign national who arrived in Solomon Islands on Friday. The patient was tested negative in the three COVID-19 tests undertaken in Papua New Guinea.

“This positive case shows that even when the traveller fulfilled our pre-departure requirements, they can still test positive when they enter our country”, Sogavare says.

He says this is why the government is placing very stringent rules on arrivals from high risk countries. He says the person is now being kept in isolation.

“We are also watching another passenger that travelled together with this person as part of a group of five people that travelled together very closely”, Sogavare says.

The group of people from PNG arrived in Honiara enroute Brisbane. The confirmed patient together with another travelling companion are being kept at the isolation units in Central Hospital.

Prior to the new confirmed case, Solomon Islands was COVID-19 free since the first 18 people were declared clear.

Prime Minister Sogavare did not mention the reason for these people’s travel to Solomon Islands.