The Leader of Opposition in Solomon Islands is calling on the prime minister not to extend the country's Covid 19 State of Public Emergency.
Matthew Wale the MP for Aoke Langa Langa, who is one of the two candidates contesting the prime ministerial election in Solomon Islands on Wednesday 24 April. Photo: Island Sun/Charles Kadamana
The State of Emergency, declared in March, expires next month.
The prime minister Manasseh Sogavare has hinted at extending it, citing the successful exclusion of the coronavirus as justification.
But Opposition leader Matthew Wale said this would not be a good move.
Mr Wale said if the economy was not reopened issues arising from the hardship faced by many families could pose as much, if not more of a danger to the country than the coronavirus.
"These problems are now, add-ons to the health threats posed by Covid-19, the basis of the initial public endorsement of the state of emergency, and if not handled properly, can easily trigger counter-productive attitude that can derail our preparedness plans," he said.
Mr Wale also said all the hard work that had been done to prepare for a potential outbreak of the coronavirus had put the country in a stronger position than it was at the start of the pandemic.
"The government must now take advantage of these improvements and look to streamlining its plans to only target areas really pertinent and necessary to keep Covid-19 out.
"These things can be done without a state of emergency and at less cost."