COVID-19

Namah said lockdowns are killing the economy, putting people out of work and shutting down businesses.

“Unless the government lifts lockdown immediately, it will be creating a social and economic disaster far worse than the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“Lockdowns are encouraging criminal activities and disrupting the education of a generation of children. The Pandemic Act has given the Prime Minister and the Controller unbridled powers,” Said Namah.

According to the Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr James Fong, the first two are close household contacts of previously announced cases, and they have tested positive while secure in quarantine facilities.

One is the 25-year-old wife of the case who stayed in Vunimono, Nausori and the other is his 52-year-old aunt.

Dr Fong told a press conference this evening that the third case is a former border quarantine passenger who arrived from Papua New Guinea into Nadi on Friday April 9th.

Speaking at a press conference in Buin, Health Secretary Clement Totavun said the decision to roll out these vaccines will be decided by the Bougainville government through the Bougainville Executive Council.

Totavun presented a policy paper on Friday.

The BEC will deliberate on the Covid-19 vaccine while the policy paper will provide technical factual information on the types of vaccines and their benefits.

Sir Puka said this would allow the parliament to discuss issues relating to this.

“Can the executive government be responsible to this country and the people of this country to inform through the leadership on the COVID situation in this country,” he said.

When responding, the Prime Minister assured the parliament that the Health Minister will make a public statement tomorrow if parliament resumes, and encouraged all citizens to access publicly available information through various channels.

A teacher by profession, Minister Uguro has assured teachers their welfare remains paramount to his office.  

Meantime, he said the Ministry of Education and its development partners have supported schools with PPEs and WaSH facilities to prevent COVID-19.

He cautioned school administrations that any more suspension of classes will result in schools being penalized if children miss out on instructional hours.

Minister Uguro emphasized that the Pandemic Controller is the only authority to suspend classes in close consultation with the Ministry.

One of the cases is classified as community transmission and the patient is the daughter of a hotel worker who was confirmed Covid-19 positive yesterday.

The hotel worker was based at a border quarantine facility.

Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong confirmed the second community transmission case in a press conference this afternoon.

“Due to her extensive exposure with the public, this hotel staff, and now her daughter, has been the central focus of our contact tracing,” Dr Fong said.

Cardinal Ribat who volunteered to be vaccinated on Wednesday 14^th April in Port Moresby said he had underlying health conditions also which compelled him to get protection from Corona virus by getting a jab.

Cardinal Ribat said because of his underlying conditions his physician encouraged him to go and get vaccinated. He did it also to encourage the people not to be afraid of it.

Minister Wong expressed his gratitude while making the opening remarks during the formal handover of the 132,000 vaccines from the Covax Alliance in Port Moresby on Thursday.

Minister Wong thanked the international community including countries, GAVI Vaccine Alliance and the UN Agencies for the support shown through the COVAX Alliance.

Wong said seeing the number of international flags displayed and people at the event got to show that the world is concern that Papua New Guinea must be vaccinated ensuring that the people live safer lives.

Education Secretary, Dr Uke Kombra, made this statement when directing all institutions operating within the national education system to resume classes on Monday, April 19^th.

He said the COVID-19 protocols that must be adhered to at all times include the wearing of masks by students, teachers and ancillary staff at all times.

“Schools are encouraged to maintain social distancing at all times and hand sanitisers or hand washing facilities must be provided at the school gates and also in the staff rooms.”

This grant will be contributed to PNG through the United nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

It is part of a US$9.09 million (K35 million) grant from Japan to Pacific Island countries, including PNG.

This is to provide the region with cold chain equipment (CCE), including medical equipment such as cold-storage facilities and transportation, as “last one mile” support to ensure vaccination in each country.