PINA

Solomon Islands has closed its borders to incoming travellers indefinitely in a bid to keep the delta variant of Covid-19 out of the country. Neighbouring countries Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Australia continue to grapple with the deadly variant with Fiji the worst affected with over 22,000 active cases, and over 230 deaths since April. Solomon Islands Health Minister Culwick Togamana...

By Heike Alefsen and Miles Young There have been notable human rights developments in the Pacific during the past four years since the joint United Nations Human Rights-Pacific Community (SPC) report on the human rights situation in the region was last published: Achievements have included increased protection of human rights through changes in domestic law such as family protection...

The Palau Government is in talks with Singapore, Korea, and Taiwan to restart its tourism given Palau’s success and high rate of the vaccination programmes, according to President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. Tourism Minister Ngirai Tmetuchl said that the discussion with Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore has started. Tmetuchl told reporters at a 21 July press conference that while the bubbles with...

Size isn't everything, but when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations, being small certainly helps. Niue, a Pacific Island nation with a population of 1,600, was recently celebrated for reaching "herd immunity" in its fight against COVID-19. It has fully vaccinated 97 percent of its eligible population with Pfizer doses donated by New Zealand. “Niue is one of the few countries in the...

The region's response to the COVID-19 pandemic dominated the Pacific Islands Forum's (PIF) Forum Foreign Affairs Ministers' forum held last week chaired by Tuvalu’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Simon Kofe. In a statement issued by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Marise Payne, emphasised their contribution to the Pacific in fighting...

The Solomon Islands Government has approved a mandatory vaccination to all Public servants, State-Owned Enterprises, and the Private employees undertaking frontline work. Cabinet approved the mandatory vaccination last Friday, 30 July 2021. The Minister of Health and Medical Service Dr Culwick Togamana made the announcement during his COVID-19 national address to the nation Monday. Minister Togamana said any employee under these three...

-Fiji has recorded1,100 new cases of COVID-19 and 13 deaths Monday increasing the total number of cases to 31,443 cases since the outbreak that started in April. Health and Medical Services permanent secretary, Dr James Fong said 386 cases were from the Western division and 714 cases from the Central division in Vitilevu, Fiji's main island. Dr Fong said the 13...

Samoa's Minister of Health has assured the new Government’s priority is to fully vaccinate the country's eligible population, before plans are finalised to open a travel bubble with New Zealand. In response to questions from the Samoa Observer, Valasi Tafito Selesele said the latest amended state of emergency orders is only to start the conversation for long-term plans. “The only priority...

An additional 10 members of the third Australia and New Zealand Medical Assistance deployment – Charlie team arrived in Nadi today. ANZMAT Charlie will be deployed for three weeks at the request of the Fijian Government and on advice from ANZMAT Bravo medical experts already in Fiji. They will join forces with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to support...

Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa is urging all public servants not to let their support for a political party cloud their professional duties and obligations to their calling. “In any Government, the Cabinet is the decision maker and the public servants are the arms and legs of Government to implement those decisions,” she said. The Members of Parliament, according to...