The National Government through the Covid-19 Oversight Committee has confirmed dates for the repatriation of stranded Solomon Islands nationals overseas.
Chair of the Covid-19 Oversight Committee, Mr James Remobatu has confirmed flight dates in Travel Advisory Notice 3 on the 18th of May 2020 to all stranded Solomon Islands citizens on the Government’s Plans for Repatriation.
Government is pleased to announce Solomon Airlines will be operating special flights from Australia, to Vanuatu and Fiji purposely to repatriate stranded nationals overseas.
The first repatriation flight is now confirmed for Tuesday 26th May. Solomon Airlines will operate a Brisbane –Honiara trip, flight details IE663 departing Brisbane International Airport at 1230hrs and arriving Honiara International Airport at 1645hrs. Nationals stranded in New Zealand are advised to contact the Solomon Islands High Commission in Wellington, NZ for further information.
The second repatriation flight for stranded nationals in Fiji and Vanuatu is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday 27th May where Solomon Airlines will be operating a Honiara-Port Vila-Nadi-Honiara trip. Flight clearance is being sought with the government of Fiji. See below for all flight details.
DATE |
FLIGHT |
ROUTE |
DEPARTURE TIME |
ARRIVAL TIME |
Tuesday 26th
May |
IE663 | BNE-HIR | 1230 | 1645 |
Wednesday 27th May | IE664 | HIR-VIL | 0900 | 1100 |
IE664 | VIL-NAN | 1145 | 1415 | |
IE664 | NAN-HIR | 1515 | 1715 |
All nationals who will be boarding these scheduled flights must have valid Solomon Airlines tickets and are strongly encouraged to contact Solomon Airlines Office for ticketing information or visit their website: https://www.flysolomons.com/. Foreign nationals wishing to travel to Solomon Islands require prior approval from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The Solomon Islands Government is taking all necessary preventive measures against any potential importation of COVID-19 into the country. It is Government’s standing health protocol to have all returning passengers from overseas undergo screening on arrival at Honiara International Airport. A mandatory 28 days’ quarantine and surveillance in one of the State’s identified quarantined facilities is also a requirement.
The Government urges all the stranded nationals to take adequate precautions while being in affected countries and seek immediate medical care in case of sickness. Upon return we strongly urge all returning passengers both local and foreign nationals to must comply with the standard protocols and health requirements put down by the Government.
The Government conveys its gratitude to all receiving States for ensuring our stranded citizens are given all the care they need.
“We thank the nation for your prayers and continue to urge everyone to remain united in maintaining our beloved country COVID-19 free. With the grace of God, we will do all we can to ensure we come out of this stronger and united,” Mr Remobatu said.
ENDS///
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