The N-DOC Protection Sector committee calls on the general public within the declared emergency zone of Honiara to ensure safety and protection of children, people with disabilities, elderly people and family members during the upcoming lockdown. 

The Government has announced that the lockdown period from 6pm Wednesday 20th to 6am Friday 22nd May 2020 is an emergency protocol that requires citizens within the defined emergency zone to stay at home or within a specified zone except for essential or emergency purpose. 

The National Protection Sector Committee therefore calls on community and family members to look after and protect their children, people with disabilities, elderly people and women/grils during this lockdown period as they are often vulnerable during disasters. 

The committee says it is also important that correct information of the lockdown period is passed on to ensure everybody is well informed and understand the requirements of this lockdown. 

“Please ensure that all your family members remain at your place of residence (home) except for an emergency, to avoid breaking the lockdown order which serves a maximum penalty of $10,000 or imprisonment for 5 years or both, under the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations 2020”. 

The committee reiterates the need for public to take note of the timings for movement prior to and during the lockdown period from 6pm Wednesday 20th to 6am Friday 22nd May 2020. 

NDOC Protection Sector Committee is responsible to prevent, reduce and alleviate human suffering from trauma, abused and discrimination resulting from the pandemic spread of Coronavirus in Solomon Islands. 

The Committee is one of six committees under the national Disaster Operations Committee (N-DOC) and is chaired by the Ministry of Women, Youths, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA).