COVID-19

Tens of thousands of Pacific workers have already either lost their jobs or were on reduced hours.

Elena Gerasimova, from the ILO's Pacific office, said the organisation received requests for support from workers, employers and small to medium businesses.

"There are lots of complications, problems and challenges for workers, employers and governments because there is a serious, very serious impact of the Covid-19 on their employment and on economies.

"Lots of companies are closed while many companies may become bankrupt and people are losing their jobs."

An elementary school teacher in Lae stressed on the need for inclusive planning.

The second in charge at the United Church-run Emmanuel Elementary School would like to have all her students in class by 8am, but she is fully aware of the limitations placed on public transportation.

Assistant head teacher, Beverly Dago, voiced her concern on the strain placed on parents, seeing that as per the national emergency orders, passenger numbers are limited to 5 less than the vehicle's licensed capacity and as a result, bus fares have been increased.

The farmers are also calling on the government to subsidize funding for established farmers to recover during the lockdown period.

Farmer in the Highlands region are calling on the Government to look into their plight and address the issue regarding the wastage of their produces.

Speaking on behalf of farmers, Win Moni a consistent Pathogen Tested (PT) Kaukau farmer from Mul district of Western Highlands said farmers were the hardest hit.

Easing of travel restrictions between the two countries will happen, "as soon as it is safe to do so".

No time frame has been set, but when "effective travel arrangements across the Tasman" are made, they'll look at opportunities to broaden that to the Pacific.​

"A trans-Tasman Covid-safe travel zone would be mutually beneficial, assisting our trade and economic recovery, helping kick-start the tourism and transport sectors, enhancing sporting contacts, and reuniting families and friends," the statement said​.

That's according to a report from ASB, which also says that in the future households might prefer cheaper luxuries like takeaways to more expensive big-ticket items.

So did level 3 arrive just in time to help save the hospitality industry?

Mike Egan is the president of the Restaurant Association of New Zealand and co-owner of Monsoon Poon in Wellington and Auckland, and the Boulcott Street Bistro and Burger Liquor in Wellington.

Egan told Morning Report the industry kicking back into action was a welcome distraction for many.

However, for some schools in Port Moresby, it was a slow first-day as students were sent home.

Waigani Primary School in Port Moresby was among others that opened its doors to its students, but only for a mere 4 hours before they were sent home.

They were told that classes will officially start tomorrow, Tuesday 5^th May.

Tough instructions have been issued to schools, to follow certain guidelines, or face closure. One of this, is social distancing.

The complaint, made by another prominent leader of the province, came about because the provincial COVID-19 operations in the province, lacked logistics support.

The leader who wants to remain anonymous, said all the operations of COVID-19 in the Local Level Governments have come to a standstill because no vehicles to conduct the operations.

The Provincial Administrator was accused of buying a new car from the public purse, for his own use.

People in the city who are in need of food have been advised to make their way to their nearest local church.

The distribution of the food supply was done at the Sir John Guise indoor complex. The heads of the local churches who were identified as distributing points were present to receive their portion.

Zahara de los Atunes, near Cadiz, used tractors to spray more than 2km (1.2 miles) of beach with a bleach solution a day before Spain allowed children out of lockdown for the first time.

Environmentalists say the move caused "brutal damage" to the local ecosystem.

Spain has been badly affected by the coronavirus, with 23,800 deaths.

It recently announced a four-phase plan to lift its stringent lockdown measures and return to a "new normality" by the end of June.

The WHO's Angela Merianos said new initiatives like the Pacific Islands Forum's fast-track humanitarian pathway are helping these efforts.

Dr Merianos leads a new space for more than 20 agencies joining forces against Covid-19 in the Pacific.

She said the team are well aware of the impact of restrictions on tourism-dependent economies.

"I think we really have to again work collectively watch this space, make sure that we're balancing the interest of public health and human safety."