The Solomon Islands government has introduced new Covid-19 emergency regulations.
Gazetted on Friday last week and now in effect the 2020 Covid-19 Regulation 2 gives the government new powers and addresses gaps it identified in the original regulation.
Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare Photo: SIG News Service
In a national address last week the prime minister Manasseh Sogavare explained some of the new powers available to the government.
These include being able to close a business if it fails to comply with emergency orders and exempting foreign sea vessels from the border closure.
The new regulations also allow the government to destroy illegal properties such as betelnut stalls erected in public places.
"The new regulation will also include new authorized officers such as National Disaster Council officers, health inspectors, nurses, and also provide more clarity on powers of the authorized officers," Manasseh Sogavare said.
The prime minister said he would be issuing more emergency orders in the days ahead.