Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

PNG’s second COVID-19 case confirmed

The 40-year-old woman is a local resident of Kokopo in East New Britain Province.

“She’s a local person, she’s not coming from outside,” he told media.

“She’s kept in isolation while her village is in lockdown.”

The PM said the PNG Institute of Medical Research in Port Moresby picked up tests from persons of interests in ENB.

“At a time when the tests were picked up from three persons of interest, two returned negative while one returned positive this afternoon.”

Who is authorised to release COVID-19 info?

Police Commissioner and SOE Controller, David Manning, said as this is a health related emergency, the Prime Minister, James Marape, has delegated Health Minister Jelta Wong as the official government spokesperson on the PNG Government response to the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is critical and necessary that the established protocols with regard to the release of information are observed so that the correct information is being disseminated to the people of PNG,” Manning said.

300 volunteers to help COVID-19 medical team

Chief Medical Officer for the COVID-19 State of Emergency, Dr Sam Yockopua, announced that 40 volunteers have been selected and have begun training on Monday, 31st March, and should be ready to begin work with the State of Emergency medical team by this Friday.

Dr Yockopua said one third of them have health care backgrounds and include students, medical, health care workers, adding more will be engaged if the need arises.

SOE extended for another 2 months

Prime Minister James Marape, when giving his speech on the floor of Parliament, said the extension will ensure that we mitigate potential harm that the spread of the virus may cause and to allow Government agencies to implement urgent and ongoing measures to protect the people.

The Prime Minister said we cannot assume the virus has not reached our shores, urging everyone to be realistic.

He added that the Government will continue to put in place measures to contain and limit any possible infection and protect and safeguard all PNG citizens.

COVID-19: Urgent action needed in conflict zones

Hasten readiness of testing facilities, directs Governor

After visiting Rita Flynn facility and Gerehu General Hospital yesterday, Governor Parkop said he was not satisfied with the preparedness of the establishments.

“As Chairman of our Provincial Task Force Response Team and Governor of our city, I am giving a direction now that we put all effort to have the facility at Rita Flynn to be able to accept a small number of potential patients by tonight. We cannot delay any further,” he stated.

Termination of workers to be investigated: Controller

The direction came after the Labour Department received reports that a number of establishments laid off workers against an understanding of the Tripartite Working Committee Agreement made last week.

Manning urged employers to show some understanding in this difficult situation and allow the government to discuss and see how best to address the issue of businesses and employment and the welfare of citizens.

Foreign yacht intercepted in Manus waters

Police confirmed that there was an Australian couple on board who had travelled from Australia to Indonesia and into PNG waters. They were on their way to Rabaul, East New Britain Province.

Manus Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, said the couple was warned of the state of emergency lockdown and was refused entry into Manus.

He advised them to continue their journey to their destination in Rabaul.

Ships turned away by Madang govt: Minister

The move has impacted essential services, and led to three ships carrying critical cargo, like fuel, being turned away at the Madang port.

Minister for Police Bryan Kramer said in today’s COVID-19 media briefing that the Marape-led government is only focused on closing provincial borders.

The security personnel were not able to reach the Governor for Madang to issue a letter regarding the impact of his government’s decision, instead they gave it to the Provincial Administration.

Digicel network name change

It is not a new network. The name change attempts to reinforce the Health Department’s messages about practicing basic hygiene and is part of the company’s efforts in helping PNG battle COVID-19.

Around 1.5 million handsets will notice this change while others may not as this depends on the type of handset.

The company hopes that when users look at their handsets, they will be reminded to wash their hands.