Chamber News

Dear members, The Government continues to clarify its Orders below plus important information from the Department of Labour and Customs below. VCCI is still waiting on final decisions from the Ministry of Health on whether restaurants can operate following SBO protocols. We have followed up again and again. We apologise for the delay in getting you this information. DOL directives to Businesses during the lockdown The VCCI just received this information from Department of Labour (DOL) wishing to let businesses know about the labour directives for businesses and workplace during containment, lockdown and curfews. Click HERE to download the DOL Directive. Payment of VAT during lockdown The Department of Customs & Inland Revenue wishes to advise that their Inland Revenue Taxpayer Services Section is closed…

Dear members, As posted to our Facebook and website yesterday, and explained in our VBRC Chairman’s Facebook video here we have been in touch directly with the DG Health who has confirmed that all essential and non-essential services businesses can operate from 6am to 6pm, complying with all the requirements of Order no. 43 of 2022 of Public Health Act CAP 234. We have been informed that Municipal Wardens of both Port Vila and Luganville City have been delegated responsibility from the Ministry of Health to ensure that businesses comply with the Order no. 43 of 2022, or else they will be closed and fined. They will be checking that businesses have: Set up hand washing stations, automatic sanitizing machines, or provide hand sanitizers One…

Dear members, We have been in touch directly with the DG Health who has confirmed that all essential and non-essential services businesses can operate from 6am to 6pm, complying with all the requirements of Order no. 43 of 2022 of Public Health Act CAP 234. Wardens / Municipal Police / Police will check on businesses in Port Vila town, next Order from the Ministry of Health will refer to this action of enforcement, to check that all businesses comply with the Order no. 43 of 2022. Businesses will need to make sure that their security officer is doing his/her work as per Order no.43 of 2022. If the DG sees that businesses do not comply with Order no. 43 of 2022 and or there is…

Dear members, Overnight 2 orders were released by the Government in regards to Approved Essential Services and specific requirements for businesses, land transport drivers and drivers of boats, and associated penalties for failure to comply with the orders. We are urgently seeking clarification on these as we believe they will cause some confusion amongst our business community. We will report back as soon as we are clear on our advice to you. Please find attached: 1. Approved Essential Services List by MOH of 18 March 2022 and the Official Gazette No. 23 of 2022 2. Orders Of Public Health Act [Cap 234] Declaration Of Public Health Emergency (Specific Requirements, Offences And Penalties For Individuals And Businesses) Order No. 43 Of 2022 Declaration Of Public Health…

Air Vanuatu is working on how to improve the flow of cargo of goods in storage warehouses in Australia and New Zealand to be air freighted from key international airports of Australia and New Zealand to Port Vila, Vanuatu, after a meeting with VCCI, freight forwarders, and Vanuatu Post Ltd. Air Vanuatu is also working with Vanuatu Post Ltd on how to improve the flow of export of local products by air freight from Port Vila to various destinations in Asia, Europe and USA. Air Vanuatu is sharing this attached freight flight plan focusing particularly on inbound and outbound cargo only, all inbound passenger on hold until further notice by the authorities of Vanuatu. Air Vanuatu will notify all of any changes to the flight in due course….

Dear members, The Ministry of Health has advised us you must go directly to the Ministry of Health in relation to approval to operate and worker passes. You may like to try the following email address of an officer who we believe that may be assisting with vehicle passes: osalwai@vanuatu.gov.vu We will offer to provide the Ministry of Health with all applications and information submitted to date. We apologise for inconveniences caused. We tried our best to be of assistance to you all and make this a simple process.

Dear all, important information from the Ministry of Health. Download and read this important information, to keep you and your loved ones safe: If you or someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19 If you or someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19, they need to isolate immediately. Isolation means staying away from everyone else in your household. Isolation is needed to stop the infected person from coming into contact with other people and causing them to become sick as well. By stopping contact between an infected person and others, it is possible to avoid the infection of many people. Fact Sheet: If you, or someone in your family, has COVID-19 What is a close contact of someone with COVID-19 If you, or…