The Government-managed Quarantine Stations (QS) have been cleared as of this week after the recent batch of repatriated nationals completed their mandatory 14-days quarantine period.
A statement from National Disaster Council said only 46 persons are yet to complete the process.
“Repatriated citizens and exempted foreigners in the two recent government coordinated flights from Brisbane on the 21st and 23rd July have completed the quarantine period in good health.
“They have been graduated, and have been issued with medical certificates since Tuesday last week.
“Those remaining are expected to be released this week,” NDC statement said.
Both flights brought home a total of 306 passengers (inclusive of 12 exempted foreigners). These returnees are part of the 5th major batch of government coordinated repatriation flights from overseas.
“Health team has decontaminated the quarantine station as per their Standard Operation Procedure.
“Limited housekeeping services will be maintained in between repatriation flights,” the NDC statement said.
So far, a total of 801 nationals (dozens of foreigners under essential services) have entered the country under the ongoing Government coordinated repatriation flights. The country’s Solomon Airlines has conducted a total of 8 repatriation flights to neighbouring Pacific Island countries since the declaration of the State of Public Emergency (SoPE) on 25th of March.
The NDC statement adds that quarantine period is extended to 21 days primarily for those citizens and exempted foreigners who come from countries with high virus infection rates.
“Whilst in Quarantine Stations all the returnees have to undertake 3 COVID-19 testings conducted by Health Clinical and Surveillance team.”
“COVID-19 Triage/Isolation department at the National Referral Hospital has not received any sick referral or symptomatic case from the QS’s,” the NDC statement said.
In the meantime, Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) continues to lead the Government’s multi-sectoral approach to stem COVID-19 infiltration on our shores. All government agencies and stakeholders are providing the required support through the National Disaster Operations Committee (N-DOC) and Provincial Disaster Operations Committee (P-DOC) Sectors.
N-DOC Camp Management Sector Committee continues to manage all the government approved Quarantine Stations in Honiara and Western Province.
Upcoming repatriation flights as approved by COVID-19 Oversight Committee for our stranded nationals overseas is earmarked for 16th and 29th August, however, this will be confirmed in due course.
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