Solomon Islands Travel Information

Due to the spread of the coronavirus, the authorities have implemented measures for visitors, among other things. a. Entry restrictions. It is per. March 26 at 00:00 introduced entry and exit bans (with some exceptions). For more information about coronavirus, see the section Health. According to Abbreviationfinder, SLB stands for Solomon Islands in geography.

Safety

It is considered relatively safe to travel to the Solomon Islands, but increased incidence of theft and violence means that extra precautions should be taken. Traveling outside Honiara, Gizo and Auki may involve extra risk, and travel to poor, remote areas and settlements should be avoided due to high risk of crime.

There is no Norwegian foreign service station in the Solomon Islands.

The risk of terrorist incidents in the Solomon Islands is considered low.

Offensive language is prohibited and may result in fines and/or imprisonment. Homosexual activity is prohibited and can be prosecuted. Normal reservations are recommended.

There is left-hand traffic on the Solomon Islands. The road standard is low. Driving in the affected state is widespread.

One is required to remain on the scene until the police arrive should an accident occur, but beware if a crowd starts to gather and proceed to the nearest police station if the situation feels threatening.

Buses are available in the Solomon Islands, but are not recommended due to low safety standards. Likewise, there are varying safety standards on ferries passing between the islands.

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and floods occur in the Solomon Islands. Tropical cyclones occur in the eastern part of the archipelago from November to May. The National Disaster Management Office sends tsunami and cyclone alerts. Savo Island northwest of Honiara is a cyclically active volcano.

  • Countryaah: Honiara is the capital of Solomon Islands. Check to find information of population, geography, history, and economy about the capital city.

Norwegian citizens staying for a shorter or longer period of time in the Solomon Islands are encouraged to register on reiseregistrering.no.

Norwegian citizens are encouraged to have valid travel insurance.

Local emergency numbers: Ambulance 911, fire 988, police 999.

In case of crisis or emergency, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hour operating center on tel. +47 23 95 00 00 or e-mail UDops@mfa.no

Major Landmarks in Solomon Islands

Entry

Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.

Due to the prevalence of the coronavirus (2019-nCoV), the Solomon Islands authorities have implemented measures worth noting before traveling to the Solomon Islands. The new measures are as follows:

  • All travelers to Solomon Islands can be checked for body temperature upon arrival.
  • Travelers who have been to China for the last 15 days prior to arrival Solomon Islands must report to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services Public Health Emergency and Surveillance Unit at +677 23650 if they experience symptoms such as breathing problems, fever and cough.
  • Travelers who have been to China for the last 15 days before arrival in the Solomon Islands and who have symptoms, such as fever and cough, with or without breathing problems will be isolated and examined for 2019-nCoV infection.

Vessels and aircraft arriving in the Solomon Islands are required to report any sick passengers on board.

Norwegian citizens do not need a visa to enter the Solomon Islands. A visitor’s permit will be issued upon arrival. The visitor’s permit is free up to three months. A fee is payable on extension up to six months. Passports must be valid for at least six months after the departure date and a valid exit ticket is required.

Only passports are accepted as identification documents.

It is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure that travel documents are valid. It is recommended to check in advance if it is allowed to visit islands and beaches.

Please note that from December 14, 2019 there is a requirement to fill out a health declaration on arrival.

Health

Coronavirus (covid-19): Due to the spread of the virus, the authorities of March 22 have introduced entry denial for foreign nationals (with some exceptions). Information on the measures can be read on the Ministry of Health and Medical Services website. It is the authorities of the Solomon Islands who are responsible for updating the websites.

Norwegian travelers should also keep abreast of the development of the corona virus, as well as keep up to date with guidance and instructions from the Solomon Islands authorities.

You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.

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The health services in the Solomon Islands consist of national hospitals, district hospitals, health centers and health posts. The quality and availability of these varies, both due to poor economy and the destruction of cyclones and other natural disasters.

There is no danger of yellow fever in the Solomon Islands, but proof of yellow fever vaccine is required if arriving from a country at risk of yellow fever. Norway is not such a country. See this list for yellow fever countries.

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccines against malaria, hepatitis A and typhoid before entering the Solomon Islands. See Travelers’ health for more information.

Due to outbreaks of measles in some countries in the Pacific region, proof of measles vaccine (dated at least two weeks prior to arrival) is required if arriving from a country at risk of measles (including visitors in transit). This requirement is valid from December 28, 2019.

Practical information

English is the official language of the Solomon Islands. Salomon pidgin is the most common language and is a mixture of Melanesian and English.

The Solomon Dollar is the official currency. ATMs are available in Honiara and credit cards are accepted in most places in the city. Credit cards are less widely accepted elsewhere. Travelers checks should be in Australian dollars or British Pounds to avoid any additional exchange fees.

Solomon Islands is nine hours ahead of Norway.

The area code for calls from Norway to Solomon Islands is +677. The telephone network is stable and there is widespread internet in Honaria and in most regional centers. The Internet domain is.sb.

Normal opening hours are from 10am. 08:00 – 16:30 Monday to Friday and 09:00 – 12:00 on Saturdays. Banks have opening hours 08:00 – 15:00 Monday to Friday and 09:00 – 12:00 on Saturdays.

220/240 volts is standard for electrical outlets.

Tipping is not expected.

The temperature in the Solomon Islands averages 29 degrees. There is most rainfall from the middle of May to December.

Public Holidays: January 1 – First New Year, February 25 – Founding Day of Choiseul Province, Good Friday, 2nd Easter Day, Pentecost Monday, June 2 – Founding Day of Isabel Province, June 8 – Founding Day of Temotu Province, Second Monday of June – Queen’s Birthday, June 29 – Central Province Founding Day, July 7 – Liberation Day, July 20 – Rennel and Bellona Province Founding Day, August 1 – Guadalcanal Province Founding Day, August 3 – Makira Ulawa Province Founding Day, August 15 – Malaita province’s founding day, November 28 – Thanksgiving, December 25 – Jul.