Borders to open by 1st July

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Secretary to the Prime Minister & Vice-Chairman of Oversight Committee Dr. Jimmie Rodgers has announced that the country’s international borders will open by July 1^st 2022. This is for those coming in and leaving the country.

Speaking during an Oversight Committee talk-back show this afternoon, Dr. Rodgers: “The Government looks to reopening of our borders by 1^st of July.”

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“We will make sure that we no longer have as much restrictions as we currently have.

However, he admits that: “Already most of the restrictions we had—two months ago have been relaxed because we have community transmission.”

“By the 1^st of July we anticipate the restrictions will go down further to almost no restrictions. Full open border,” said Dr. Rodgers.

He said this means vaccination must step-up.

“We would like to achieve 60 to 70% full vaccination by 1^st of July,” said the SPM.

He said the higher the numbers “we can open our border with confidence.”

As of today’s data, the fully vaccinated population is around 32% whereas those with first dose is around 59%.

Dr. Rodgers is optimistic that it is possible for the country to achieve 90% plus of it population vaccinated by the end of the year.

The country’s border was closed in early 2020 following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under current requirements those travelling to Solomon Islands must have two negative tests but will still have to undergo 14 days’ quarantine in a government approved quarantine centre.

News@SBMOnline2022