Solomon Islands police to check, escort foreign vessels to Honiara

Solomon Islands Police will escort two foreign vessels anchored outside Baralau Island at Aola Bay in East Guadalcanal to the capital, Honiara.

Police said they received reports from locals on the presence of the yachts - which were believed to be travelling together - on Tuesday.

While people had identified the number of people on board the vessels, one was not flying a flag and the other's flag could not be recognised.

A police patrol boat with officers from the Health Ministry and the Immigration and Customs departments has been sent to escort both yachts to Honiara.

Assistant Police Commissioner Simpson Pogeava called on locals not to approach the yachts.

However, he urged them to report any suspicious vessels.

"I want to thank the community at Aola by reporting the presence of the yachts in their area. I want to call on our people there not to come into contact with the foreign nationals on board the yachts. Let us work together with our government in the fight against the community transmission of the Covid-19 in our country.

"To our good people in other provinces, let us help each other by reporting any suspicious vessels within our shores."