Coronavirus

Since the commencement of the state of emergency, citizens have raised concerns of harassment, intimidation and extortion at especially police roadblocks.

State of Emergency Controller, David Manning, issued a warning after urging members of the force to serve the people with honesty, integrity and dedication.

During the recent DDA board meeting last month at Kabakada ward, Gazelle DDA Board chairman and Gazelle MP, Jelta Wong, instructed his deputy, Livuan-Reimber LLG President Sam Piniau, to take charge of meetings, if need be, because his position as Health Minister will require him to be in Port Moresby, attending to national issues.

“Even the two largest economies in the region, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, do not have the fiscal space to provide immediate recovery packages for businesses to survive or income support to those facing unemployment,” says former Professor of Economics and Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of the South Pacific, Biman Chand Prasad.

This means a person whose initial test result shows the presence of an infection, can later get a negative result after a period of time.

The State of Emergency controller, David Manning, emphasised that those who have COVID-19 are most likely to recover. His statement supports that of the Deputy SOE Controller, Dr Paison Dakulala, who recently said 80 percent of those infected will be cured.

Roadblocks at the Kuradui junction to Vunatagia, Bitabaur and Vunamurmur wards were removed as of the weekend while random tests at Raluana, Ialakua and Barovon continue.

According to the controller, restrictions to the remaining three wards will be lifted once more tests are cleared.

However, he said police will continue to maintain roadblocks on the Kokopo-Rabaul route.

The SoE controller’s latest announcement was a huge relief for the local farmers in ENB who have been suppressed by the SoE restrictions.

The support package covers three critical areas; establishing screening sites throughout PNG, educating communities on risks and preventative measures, and essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

UNICEF is setting up over 30 tents across PNG that health workers will use to conduct pre-triage screening procedures for patients who present with COVID-19 symptoms.

“The 125 samples collected included 1 sample from the Manus Province, 3 samples from Gulf and 121 samples from the National Capital District,” the Prime Minister said.

An additional 12 samples taken from East New Britain also returned negative.

“Samples from the NCD includes samples from myself, the Minister for Health & HIV/AIDS Hon. Jelta Wong, Minister for Police Hon. Bryan Kramer, the State of Emergency (SOE) Controller and Police Commissioner David Manning and the Deputy SOE Controller Acting Secretary for the National Department of Health Dr. Paison Dakulala.

Residential students today met with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Frank Griffin, at the Forum Square and urged the UPNG Council to consult the Government immediately.

The students, most of whom are from outside provinces, are quite anxious following the announcement of five new COVID-19 cases yesterday.

Chairman of the UPNG Students COVID-19 response team, Andrian Taranu, stressed that the safety and wellbeing of the students will be compromised if they remain on campus.

In times like these, the Melanesian ‘pasin’ must take centre stage.

While the country has five new COVID-19 cases, Prime Minister James Marape says there is no need for panic or anxiety. Instead, the country can learn from the way East New Britain reacted after a case was confirmed and villages went into lockdown.

The city is yet to effectively implement the state of emergency directives regarding business operation and social gatherings.

Acting Lae City Authority CEO, Neil Ellery, outlined the challenges they are faced with, including PNG’s social attitude, culture and the financial impact on PMV operators.