Solomon Islands

The Solomon Star reported the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education, Franco Rodie issued the directive, as part of the country's Covid-19 response strategy.

Dr Rodie said the mass repatriation of people from the capital to their home provinces following the declaration of a State of Public Emergency last week was causing anxiety and confusion for schools and education authorities.

Because of this Dr Rodie ordered all schools to close with a tentative return date set for the 27th of April.

The prime minister made the announcement in a public address last night after a national emergency meeting in the capital Port Moresby to discuss the country's Covid-19 response strategy.

Mr Marape's declaration comes after health authorities in the country confirmed the first case of the Covid-19 coronavirus on Friday.

"We have now declared a nationwide state of emergency. I request with this announcement here that our nation gives greater support to this call," he said.

The slide occurred on Thursday at on the remote coast.

Office director Loti Yates said it came as a severe low hit the region, causing heavy downpours and extensive flooding.

Bridges, roads and villages had been washed away.

"There are communities that have lost homes and properties and the NDMO has been working with the Red Cross and other NGOs to access non-food items, such as shelter kits, garden, kitchen and hygiene kits to be delivered."

This was following their 1-1 draw against Lautoka FC last Saturday.

The Vanuatu based team will take on Solomon Islands club the Henderson Eels after forward Andre Batick was shown a red card and will be suspended.

The fans in Luganville came out in droves to the Luganville Soccer City Stadium to support the hometown Revivors and they will ride that wave of support against the Eels.

In the first match today, Fiji’s Lautoka will take on Papua New Guinea’s Lae City FC.

Line ups;

A number of big projects funded by the Chinese government were scheduled to get under way this year, including the construction of the new national stadium in Honiara.

The Deputy Chief of Mission for the Chinese Embassy in Papua New Guinea, Yao Ming, told the Solomon Star the coronavirus epidemic in China had set back preparations.

The outbreak which started in New Zealand has hit Samoa the hardest with 76 people killed as of Wednesday and more than 5,300 cases recorded since October.

A statement from the Solomon Islands health ministry issued on 11 December said everyone travelling to Solomon Islands must present a traveller's public health declaration card on arrival.

Anyone travelling from countries affected by measles must show certified proof that they have received a measles vaccination at least three weeks prior to arriving in Solomon Islands.

The ceremony, which will take place at Lawson Tama Stadium in the capital Honiara this afternoon, is one of the main events of Prince Charles' final day in the country.

Earlier this morning, the British royal addressed the Solomon Islands Parliament before attending a luncheon hosted by the Governor General at the Mendana Hotel.

He will also be visiting the headquarters of the Forum Fisheries Agency, which drives the sustainable fisheries management agenda for its 17 Pacific Islands member countries.

Mr Aqorau, who until Friday had been a Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University in Canberra for two three-month periods, said the appointment will be effective with the beginning of 2020.

He was CEO of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement, the nine-island tuna cartel, from 2010 to 2016.

During this time, PNA implemented a tuna management programme known as the "Vessel Day Scheme" that reshaped the purse seine industry, generating a huge increase in revenue to participating islands.

During Prince Charles' trip next month, he will launch a national ocean policy and a malaria elimination roadmap.

The prince will also learn about sustainable fisheries management in the Pacific.

A statement from the Solomon Islands government said the prince would also meet with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and other leaders in Honiara.

Prince Charles will be in Solomon Islands on the 24 and 25 of November, following his visit to New Zealand and Tuvalu.

The prince last visited Tuvalu in 1970.

The Europeans dominated the game taking 33 shots on goal and enjoying 61 percent of ball possession.

Inter Milan U-18 striker Degnand Ngonto opened the scoring for the Italians in the 24th minute and added a second later in the second half for a brace with his teammates Nicolo Cudrig (AS Monaco), Franco Tongya (Juventus), and Andrea Capone (Hellas Verona) also getting on the scoresheet.

The Solomon Islanders played much better in the second half than in the first, with striker Raphael Leai having a couple of decent stabs at goal.