Controller for the Pandemic Response, David Manning has announced that there will be no protest march allowed to take place any time soon in Port Moresby.
He was responding to a notice sent out about a “peaceful protest march” planned for Monday, November 1 over mandatory vaccination.
Manning said: “We are in a pandemic that is affecting the globe and Papua New Guinea is no exception. There is so much misinformation whether deliberate or otherwise, being disseminated on social media.”
He said the notice being circulated is false and misleading because vaccination is not mandatory and remains a personal choice, and whoever is caught spreading false information causing pubic tension will be arrested and dealt with.
“Under the National Pandemic Act 2020, I as Controller have issued a number of measures aimed at mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 virus. One such measure includes the ban of gatherings of more than 20 persons.
“This planned protest march is therefore not approved and against the efforts of the PNG government in stopping the spread of the virus,” Manning said.
He said the decision to decide specific measures for provinces rests in the provincial administration apparatus set up to tackle the pandemic.
The NCD Provincial Health Authority, NCD City Manager and the Office of the NCD Metropolitan Superintendent as a body is entrusted with deciding measures specific to the NCD and this includes whether to have a lock-down or not.
“This body, together with the National Control Centre, also approves events and activities within the city. Accordingly, this body, nor the NCC have approved this planned protest march for Monday.”
He said that this march is illegal and will not be allowed to go ahead.
Manning added that the organizers of this march will be identified and dealt with.
NCD police have been directed to stop any gathering of more than 20 people around the city.
“I appeal to our citizens to please work with us. We are in difficult times and need your help, support and cooperation. We are not your enemy. COVID-19 is. So help us to help you.”