PM CAUTIONS FOREIGN NATIONALS & CITIZENS OF STRICT ENTRY REGULATIONS

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has cautioned all foreign nationals and returning citizens to comply with the country’s strict entry requirements.

The Prime Minister said these requirements are non-negotiable and to minimize the risk of further importation of COVID-19 into the country

Prime Minister Sogavare said all foreign nationals wishing to enter the country must be approved and exempted by the Prime Minister and their names gazetted.

“All foreign nationals must comply with the county’s strict pre-departure quarantine requirements. I advise foreign nationals that just having your names on the gazette does not guarantee entry into the country. You must comply with our strict pre-departure requirements applicable to the country you are in,” he said.

The Prime Minister cautioned that foreigners that do not comply with the pre-departure COVID-19 requirements are liable to prosecution after their quarantine period ends.

For citizens, Prime Minister Sogavare said they do not require approval to enter the country.

However, he said each returning citizen must comply with our strict pre-departure quarantine requirements before they can enter the country.

“If citizens do not comply with the pre-departure COVID-19 requirements applicable to the country you are travelling from, that is an offence and any person committing such offence is liable to prosecution after their quarantine period ends,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sogavare has further cautioned that the Government will also introduce some control on the frequency, foreign nationals can leave and re-enter the country.

He said the country is still grappling with COVID-19 and such frequent trips are putting a lot of pressure on our front-liners.

“Our front liners had not had any rest since the commencement of repatriation flights in June 2020. We cannot continue to allow ‘travel at will’ for many foreign nationals for ‘rest and respite’ while our front-liners have sacrificed theirs to protect this country,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the Government will issue a new travel advisory this week.

The travel advisory will specify new requirements on the frequency of travel for foreign nationals that wish to leave and re-enter the country as well as charges for COVID-19 tests.

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