The Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare has suspended all international flights into the country indefinitely and declared the capital an emergency zone.
Photo: RNZI/ Koroi Hawkins
The measures were part of six orders issued by Mr Sogavare in Honiara under the country's state of public emergency.
Mr Sogavare also ordered all night-clubs, kava bars and casinos in the capital to close but said churches would be allowed to remain open at least for the coming weekend to "bring the nation closer to God".
"To my fellow Solomon Islanders if there is any fight that needs to be fought together by all of us it is this fight against Covid-19 we are all in this together let us all work and cooperate together to fight against our common enemy."
Mr Sogavare said the government was working closely with China to establish in-country testing for Covid-19.
He said once this capability was established the government will consider lifting the suspension on international flights.
Solomon Islands has yet to register a confirmed case of Covid-19.
Honiara's port Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins