Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

In a press briefing at the APEC terminal at Jackson’s International Airport, Marape said the ‘person of interest’ was one of 19 arrivals who were identified, isolated and observed.

“Of all these 19 persons of interest, tests have been run on them simultaneously until the one that came out red. The person who is in red, we are still running further tests on him and if he comes out green then he will be allowed to step out of his current confinement.”

Health and HIV/AIDS Minister, Jelta Wong, made this declaration today as a measure to control or remove the danger of the coronavirus disease epidemic.

In a ‘notice for the national gazette’ that was issued today, Wong said no person should enter PNG except for:

Police Minister Bryan Kramer made this call during the announcement of a strategic joint task force team to monitor the coronavirus pandemic.

Unconfirmed information being spread on social media on Wednesday, the 18^th of March, saw hysterical citizens rush into shops and buy stocks in bulk, leaving empty shelves in their wake.

Known as panic buying, this situation could have been avoided if Papua New Guineans had been responsible as well as critical.

This was announced in a joint media conference yesterday attended by Police Minister Bryan Kramer, Health Minister Jelta Wong, the Acting Secretary for Health, Dr Paison Dakulala, Police Commissioner David Manning, head of St John’s Ambulance Services, Matthew Cannon, and other government officials, including the PNG Fire Service.

Police Minister Kramer also confirmed at the media conference that there is no case of the COVID-19 in PNG as yet. However, he said rather than wait for a case to arise, a rapid response team will be set up to respond in real time in the communities.

Governor for National Capital District, Powes Parkop, assured the citizens of NCD that the capital city of PNG is ready to combat the COVID-19 if it does come into the city.

Since Port Moresby is the main entry point to the country, Governor Parkop has requested for a testing laboratory to be installed in Port Moresby.

PNG Air activated their Crisis Management Team (CMT) back in January to deal with risks of the COVID-19, and since then have been working closely with key stakeholders such as the National Airports Corporation and the World Health Organisation, and taking an active role in supporting the government task force.

“As a primarily domestic airline, we have put a huge array of measures in place to protect the health of both our passengers and staff,” stated PNG Air.

“There will be exceptions,” he said. “Passengers will be limited to critical emergency personnel, diplomatic staff, medical experts, and advisers required by Papua New Guinea to maintain our capacity to fight the coronavirus pandemic,” he said. “Essential airline staff will also be allowed to travel so that domestic flights can continue.

“It is not practical to stop inbound flights altogether – to do so would jeopardise the fight against the pandemic and put Papua New Guineans in unacceptable danger.

Prime Minister James Marape said the “test returned this afternoon confirms the suspected case at Morobe is negative but we are on high alert”.

“As the nation feels scared of the COVID-19 breaking into PNG, may I assure all that we stand ready to do our utmost best to stop it from spreading,” he stated on his Facebook page.

“Continual monitoring of suspect cases are going on and we will deal with this possible crisis to the best of our ability.”

The PNG Sports Foundation, as the Government lead agency for sports in consultation with other relevant agencies, is taking preventative measures to counter the risk of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

PNGSF Executive Peter Tsiamalili Jnr said the decision would not be taken lightly as Papua New Guineans are very passionate in sports but the event was an activity that encompasses a large congregation of people and the risk factors could be detrimental if preventative measures were not introduced sooner.

Taking that into consideration, NASFUND has taken steps to protect the health, safety and well-being of its staff and community.

In a statement, Chief Executive Officer, Ian Tarutia, said: “Following guidance from local health officials and the World Health Organization (WHO), we have stepped up our coronavirus prevention protocols.  

“Regrettably, we have cancelled all regional conferences, shop floor presentations and activities requiring large gatherings. We have also cancelled all nonessential business travel outside of PNG.