West bans selling of betel-nut, playing of card-games & ludo, close nightclubs

Western is the latest province that agrees to indefinitely ban the sell of betel-nut, the playing of ludo and card games so as close night-clubs in its five centres and the capital, Gizo.

The enforcement of the order comes into effect today; provincial secretary Jeffery Wickham confirms to SBMOnline, this afternoon.

With the threat of COVID-19 spreading to the provinces, the Western Provincial Government executed the orders under its Provincial Emergency Plans. Central Islands Province has also done the same by banning the sell of betelnut in Tulagi.

Wickham said the ban of betelnut, playing of ludo and card games so as the closure of night clubs apply to Gizo, Noro, Munda, Seghe, Poitete and Ringi.

He said this morning in Gizo with the help of police they were able to collect tables that were used as betel-nut stalls and were dumped in the rubbish area.

Wickham explains that the ban stops anyone from selling betelnut in the towns either at their markets or in public areas.

He says they also ban ludo and card games because they pull crowds just as night clubs, which are not good for COVID-19.

Since the declaration of community transmission in Honiara by the Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, mid-week, the provinces have taken own measures to stop the virus from entering their islands.

Within just 48 hours, a total of 136 cases were recorded, the highest in any two days so far.

News@SBMOnline2022