Release from Isolation
On 06th March 2021, two (2) new active cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Vanuatu. One was a 46-year-old female and other was a 50-year-old male. Both individuals had arrived to Port Vila on the same flight from Port Moresby on 27th February 2021. Both cases were asymptomatic on arrival and were detected during routine testing of travellers in quarantine on day 5, with confirmatory on day 6. Both were transferred to the COVID-19 isolation ward at Vila Central Hospital, and both developed mild symptoms of COVID-19.
Testing have been conducted and they are now fully recovered and considered to be non-infectious. Health clearance for both has therefore provided by a specialist medical office. This means that both patients are now eligible for release from isolation.
Following the new positive border case COVID-19 found in a decreased person on Saturday 17th April 2021, that lead authorities to start contacting tracing of persons who had direct and indirect contact with the deceased are placed in the quarantine and tested. Prime Minister (PM) Bob Loughman, confirmed the test results of all close contacts were negative and expected to be released immediately.
Traveling out from Efate is now lifted as the UK -Flagged tanker left Port Vila with 11 crew members who tested positive for COVID-19. The news was confirmed by the Director General (DG) of the Ministry of Health. The foreign tanker was detained following the death of one of its crew. Movement within the country is no longer restricted and public transportation has resumed, including air and land as well as boat connections for islands.
Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (VFIPA) strongly advise all businesses to remain alert to and informed about changing outbreak of Covid-19. This includes any related community spread of the virus and to consider voluntarily testing available at Vila Central Hospital. And to continue implementing infection prevention and control measures accordingly. Businesses must make sure that workers must have access to Covid-19 information, and collaborate with workers to prevent the diseases.
