On 26 March 2020 the President of Vanuatu signed a declaration for a State of Emergency (SOE) over the whole of Vanuatu for a two-week period, for the purpose of strengthening prevention and containment measures in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Since April the SOE has been extended multiple times for the dual purposes of continuing COVID-19 prevention and containment measures as well as responding to Tropical Cyclone Harold which impacted Vanuatu on 6 – 7 April 2020.
On Thursday 13th of July the SOE regarding COVID-19 was extended until the 31 December 2020, whilst the SOE for Tropical Cyclone Harold was extended until August 9 2020. These SOE Declarations allow special powers as set out in the Disaster Risk Management Act No. 23 of 2019.
Non-health information related to the SOE is available on the website of the National Disaster Management Office.
The following groups have responsibility for coordinating and implementing COVID-19 preparedness and response activities in Vanuatu:
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Where can I get more information?