No Lockdown in City

Deputy Controller, Dr. Doani Esorom said this during yesterday’s press conference with NCD Governor Powes Parkop.

Dr. Esorom said while the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) has made a decision after a wide consultation to have a “No lockdown” in the city, he said Controller David Manning still has the powers to override this decision if the transmission rate continues to rise.

“It is very important that we cut the transmission. (Port Moresby General Hospital) is over-flowing with sick and dead people. We need to stop people from getting sick.

He said the decision was reached following a consultation with key stakeholders and the National Control Center.

“We note the hardship thousands of people face already as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact the two weeks lockdown would have on the community. 

“Economy has slowed down, unemployment is high, businesses are very fragile and equally teetering on collapsing”, added Governor Parkop.