UNVACCINATED TRAVELLERS WILL NOT ENTER THE HAPPY ISLES

“Intending travelers of 18 years and above must be fully vaccinated before they can enter the country,” warns Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Monday.

This warning was made following a Cabinet decision to ease flight movements in and out of the country to revamp the dwindling local tourism industry as a result of the global pandemic.

Based on the Cabinet decision, intending travelers must take their final vaccination dose 4 weeks prior to their travel date.

“No one 18 years and older will be allowed to enter the country if they are not vaccinated,” Prime Minister Sogavare said in his weekly National Address on Monday.

This requirement also applies to children of older age groups eligible for vaccination if they are travelling to Solomon Islands.

Cabinet also approved the recommendation by the Covid-19 Oversight Committee to group countries into three risk categories – COVID-19 free, moderate-risk and high-risk.

This re-categorization of risk is another measure to prepare the country on its journey toward the full reopening of our border.

One of the major changes approved by Cabinet is the reduction of post arrival quarantine period across all three risk categories.

Another change is the reduction in pre-departure and post-arrival COVID-19 testing regimen based on scientific analysis and the fact that all returning adults must be fully vaccinated.

-GCU Press

Note:

The three new risk categories in the regulation are as follows:

1. For travelers from COVID-19 free countries:
2. One Pre-departure test within 72 hours of arrival.
3. 7 days quarantine post arrival.
4. One test during quarantine on day 6 or 7 and discharge on day 7 if negative.
5. If a traveler transits through moderate risk country – 10 days quarantine and two tests.
6. If a traveler transits through high-risk country – 14 days quarantine and three tests.
7. For travelers from moderate risk country
8. One pre-departure test within 72 hours of arrival in Solomon Islands
9. 10 days quarantine post arrival.
10. Two tests during quarantine on day 2 and days 9-10 and discharge on day 10 if both tests are negative.
11. If person transits through high-risk country – 14 days quarantine and three tests.
12. For travelers from high-risk countries
13. Two pre-departure test between days 9-11 days before departure and within 72 hours of arrival.
14. 14 days quarantine post arrival.
15. 3 tests during quarantine on day 2, 7 and days 13-14 and discharge on day 14 if all 3 tests are negative.

For each of the 3 categories, the Incident Controller (IC) may increase the pre-departure and post arrival requirements based on risk assessments.

For children under 18 years of age that cannot be vaccinated, the duration of quarantine for families traveling with children under 18 years old will be as follows:

1. Families with children travelling from COVID-19 free countries – 10 days quarantine and 2 tests.
2. Families with children travelling from moderate risk countries – 14 days quarantine and 3 tests.
3. Families with children travelling from high-risk countries – 21 days quarantine and 4 tests.