SI imposes travel restrictions

AIR Niugini says passengers travelling from Papua New Guinea to the Solomon Islands are required to provide proof of measles vaccination, effective Jan 20.
The airline, in a statement, said in an update issued by Solomon Islands ministry of health last Thursday, PNG was added as one of the measles “affected” countries, along with New Zealand.
The original list of affected countries comprised American Samoa, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Australia and the Philippines.
The ministry advised that it was mandatory to fill in a traveller health declaration card before entering the Solomon Islands.
Proof of vaccination will be in the form of a vaccine card, vaccination records for proof of immunisation for children and medical certificate from a recognised medical practitioner/hospital.
These requirements are not applicable for infants less than six months of age, pregnant women and passengers transiting through PNG where the original port of departure is not an affected country.
The Solomon Islands first made the announcement last December for everyone to receive the vaccination as a requirement to enter the country.