Samoa delays Covid-19 vaccine launch, Fiji real estate developer found guilty, Tonga's SOE renewed, and more.
Samoa’s Ministry of Health Director General and CEO, Leausa Dr Take Naseri Photo: Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Samoa covid 19 vaccine roll out delayed.
Samoa's Director General of Health said the country's Covid 19 vaccine roll out is being delayed for two weeks.
Leausa Dr Take Naseri said this will allow time to double check if the 24,000 doses of the Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine are all accounted for.
The first shipment for Samoa had arrived last Friday from Copenhagen via South Korea, one of the largest shipments of Covax doses to the Pacific to date.
Samoa's caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi officially launched the arrival of the vaccine on Monday.
Samoa is expecting the second shipment of the vaccine next month.
Leausa told a press conference there was no urgency in rolling out the vaccination plans.
"We are still preparing as we go, in terms of our roll out plans. But the vaccinators and frontliners are first to be vaccinated."
Real Estate Freesoul Limited in Fiji found guilty
A real estate developer in Fiji will be sentenced next month for the unauthorised development of its multi-million-dollar resort.
Freesoul Limited was found guilty of violating the terms of the development on Malolo Island between June 2017 and December 2018.
The company was also convicted for destroying extensive parts of a reef on the island to create a boat channel.
The judgment date, originally set for March 12, was first postponed to March 30 then April 9.
Freesoul company directors face fines of up to US$345,000 or a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both.
Sentencing has been set for May 7.
Tonga extends State of Emergency
Tonga's State of Emergency and Covid-19 national restrictions have been renewed for another month by Prime Minister Dr Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa.
Matangi Tonga online says extension applies to all the land and sea areas of Tonga.
Directions under the renewed Covid national restrictions remains the same.
A night time curfew enforced by police continues from 12 midnight to 5:00am.
Mass gatherings are not to exceed a total of 50 people indoors, and 100 people outdoors, except for religious services and education institutions.
Funeral gatherings are also restricted to a total of 50 people indoors, and 100 people outdoors with an authorised officer to be present throughout.
Vanuatu health ministry outlines Covid-19 vaccination process
Vanuatu's Ministry of Health has outlined how the Covid-19 vaccination process will be carried out.
This comes ahead of the parliament giving indemnity approval to the manufacturers on 20th April.
The first batch of about 10,000 AstraZeneca doses, allocated under the Covax facility, will arrive in Vanuatu after that parliamentary session.
In a statement the ministry said this year the government expects to receive enough doses to vaccinate 20 percent of the population.
The first batch will be rolled out on Efate island and offshore islands for prioritised groups, including health and front line workers and elderly people over 55 years.
The ministry has issued an assurance to the people of Efate that there is a low risk of adverse reactions.
This motion on indemnity will guarantee the factory that they will be no legal suit against it if there is a negative impact on people's health.
Solomon Islands receives 50,000 doses of a Covid-19 vaccine from China.
Solomon Islands has received 50,000 doses of a Covid-19 vaccine from China.
The Solomon Times reports that the doses of Sinopharm vaccine arrived in Honiara on Sunday night .
The Sinopharm vaccine, which was developed by a Beijing-based State-Owned Enterprise, is yet to be approved by the World Health Organisation.
But the Solomons government said it would closely monitor the WHO's approval process relating to Sinopharm.
A Health Ministry official said the Sinopharm vaccine will only be rolled out once WHO approves it.
The Solomons' National Therapeutic Committee would also need to endorse the vaccine for it to be used in the country.
The Sinopharm vaccine is developed by a Beijing-based State-Owned Enterprise, Sinopharm.
Three weeks ago the Solomons began its vaccine rollout, having received 24,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, supplied through the Covax facility.