For tourism industry it was the one of the last bastions standing, but is it now fallen!
Fears have definitely emerged as the magical island nation—often dubbed as a paradise for its untouched beauty—has now seen its first case of coronavirus, almost ten months after it first originated in China. The Solomon Islands was one of the last countries left without Coronavirus. This has now changed.
The Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare has confirmed the previously COVID-19-free country has recorded its first positive case of the virus.
The Solomon Islands are an archipelago of 992 tropical islands and atolls, scattered in a gentle curve. They comprise two major parallel island chains extending some 1800 kilometres from the Shortland Islands in the west to Tikopia and Anuta in the east. Situated in the South Pacific between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, the population of about 550,000 is predominantly Melanesian but includes other smaller groups. Exotic local customs and traditions remain a very important part of life for Solomon Islanders.
Addressing the nation on the weekend, the Prime Minister said the positive case was a student returning to the Solomon Islands onboard a repatriation flight from the Philippines.
According to the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS), while the student tested negative for the virus before leaving the Philippines, he subsequently tested positive on arrival in Honiara and was placed into immediate quarantine.
Assuring the nation of 600,000, the prime minister said the student will be kept in quarantine until MHMS is satisfied the virus has been completely eliminated.
Experience truly unique and real cultures. Discover ancient ceremonial sites and learn from the locals about Solomon’s remarkable cultural heritage. Delve for relics from WWII buried in fathoms of blue-green water.
The islands and waters are still a little known pristine paradise. They are particularly special for their remarkable biodiversity, containing thousands of different plant and animal species, especially the marine life. Many species are known only to the Solomons.
“All protocols and operating procedures have been activated, and contact tracing and testing of all front liners is in process,” the prime minister said.
“Government is well aware of the risks and I am confident that this case will be managed and contained.
Tourism Solomons CEO, Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto has called on the local industry to show its fullest support to the government in its efforts to contain and eradicate the virus.
“The sooner the virus is contained the better and we remain 100 per cent behind the government and committed to everything it is doing to manage the situation,” he said.
“We are confident that the measures taken to date by our government and the strict control measures the country has in place will continue to keep us in a strong position to be considered as one of the safest international travel destinations, and particularly for Australians and New Zealanders.”
(All images courtesy VisitSolomons)