COVID-19

Impacts of COVID-19 on Tourism Industry

The survey was aimed at assessing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the industry.

Overall, the tourism industry contributes over K0.5 billion to the nation’s economy every year.

The survey found it will report far short of that this year.

A total of 44 respondents including hotels, tour operators, guest house owners, industry associations, airlines, product owners, and parks participated in the survey, which revealed massive losses they suffered in key areas of their businesses.

Trump says US topping world virus cases is 'badge of honour'

 

"I look at that as, in a certain respect, as being a good thing because it means our testing is much better," he said at the White House.

The US has 1.5 million coronavirus cases and nearly 92,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

In second place is Russia, with nearly 300,000 confirmed cases.

What did Trump say?

On Monday, Mr Trump was hosting his first cabinet meeting since the US outbreak began.

PNG Air recommence Western and Sepik flights

Those intending to travel, holding onto a valid ticket and have queries are encouraged to visit a PNG Air sales office or an agent to be served.

Acting Chief Commercial Officer, Nancy Nakikus said "PNG Air is looking forward to operate flights and continue to connect people".

"We are looking forward to getting normalcy back into PNG and giving our people a quality service they deserve,"

Kumul Petroleum donates PPE's to POMGEN

Kumul Petroleum Managing Director Wapu Sonk said at the presentation on May 11, “As a company, we want to contribute to keeping our population healthy and well, ‘health is your wealth’, that’s what they say. So creating wealth doesn’t necessarily relate to monetary terms, it is about improving the Human Development Index. This is the work that we are doing in education and electricity distribution as well as health, where we believe that when people are healthy, they can contribute to the economy, and in the broader growth of the country.”

Govt acknowledged for commitment to accountability

TIPNG Chairman Peter Aitsi has commended the Government on taking the first step towards breaking a trend of administrations evading public scrutiny that has plagued PNG emergency public procurement in recent years.  

“It is very encouraging to note that our Government has now made this commitment to table a fully audited COVID-19 SOE funding report at the earliest available opportunity. This demonstrates that they are taking the responsibility to set a better example in the way that emergency public procurement can be managed,” Aitsi said.

COVID-19 and GBV

Key concerns for the country include the economic impact of the pandemic and how this will affect the general population.

Senior Research Fellow at the National Research Institute, Dr Fiona Hukula, says equally important is the need to recognise the social problems that may arise as a result of the crisis.

“This includes gender-based violence,” she said in her paper entitled The potential impact of COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable groups.

Gaming industry affected

The policy designed to address, control and prevent the spread of infectious diseases specially COVID-19 pandemic in gaming sites throughout Papua New Guinea.  

The Gaming Industry in the country has been hit hard by the novel coronavirus.

The Industry has been shut down in compliance with the National Government’s declaration for the State of Emergency.

The Gaming Industry is a Government sanctioned entertainment industry regulated by the National Gaming Control Board under the Gaming Control Act 2007.

Bad policing creates conflicts: Researcher

Dr Elizabeth Kopel, a Senior Research Fellow and Program Leader with the Informal Economy Research Program, at the  PNG National Research Institute made this remarks on her research paper released recently.

Dr Elizabeth Kopel, a senior researcher at the National Research Institute says there have been ongoing complaints on mainstream and social media that police in some areas are not permitting transportation of fresh food and other goods, confiscate or destroy produce, or at times collect fees for allowing access through check points.

How Covid-19 is affecting your dreams

And have those dreams felt more vivid than usual? You are certainly not alone if you have been.

Many people are reporting unusually vivid dreams during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown.

Professor Mark Blagrove is a psychologist and sleep and dream researcher at Swansea University.

He told Jim Mora on Sunday Morning that people are more likely to remember their dreams because they have abandoned their alarm clocks during quarantine.

Most dreams occur during periods of rapid eye movement or REM which indicate a very deep sleep.

BSP highlights impact of COVID -19 on the economy

The report highlighted the forecast impacts on economic growth across the region in the immediate aftermath of the global Covid-19 pandemic.