COVID-19 pandemic

He issued this warning after reports of mainly unemployed youth harassing health workers and throwing stones at COVID-19 vaccination stations.

In the face of the attempted intimidation and related failed attempts at unruly protests, Minister Wong called on the Opposition to stop sitting on the fence and make a public declaration to condemn anti-vaccination troublemakers.

Central Bank Governor, Loi Bakani stated that the recovery reflects the impact of stimulus packages and vaccination programs, mainly in the advanced economies. 

He added that the improvement in global trade and international commodity prices would support the recovery in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The PNG Government’s fiscal support, easing of containment measures, adjustments to the new-normal working environment, and vaccination rollout will also aid the recovery. 

The teachers were from schools at Pindiu, Menyamya, Mutzing, Markham Valley and Omili.

Provincial program advisor of education, Keith Tangui, said their bodies are currently at the ANGAU Memorial Provincial Hospital morgue.

“To repatriate them, I’m waiting to see the (provincial) administrator so they can give us some funding to get the bodies out,” he stated.

“But thank God, we don’t have students getting COVID. Even though they sit together – all of them in one desk and all that – only two students contracted it but they’re ok.

Each of these provinces will be receiving 3-tonnes of supplies each, comprising Personal Protective Equipment, oxygen concentrators and essential medicine.

Most of these cargo are taken from the National Control Centre warehouse in Port Moresby, but there’s also some supplies brought by the AUSMAT team for the different hospitals, that are also being delivered. 

At the weekend, they dropped the supplies in Goroka in Eastern Highlands, Lae in Morobe, Madang and Mt Hagen in the Western Highlands Province. 

Governor for NCD Powes Parkop, in his latest media statement, has indicated that the ‘No jab, No job’ policy is legal because employers have the right to protect their businesses.

The governor also said he is ready to meet with anyone who has concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines, the workplace strategy to protect the work environment, health and safety standards.

Vaccines have slowed the death rate, but some health experts say the true toll could be far higher.

The milestone comes amid warnings from health officials that cases and deaths in some places are rising for the first time in months.

Nearly 250 million cases of the virus have been recorded worldwide.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the pandemic's real global death toll could be two to three times higher than official records.

In the US, more than 745,800 people have died, making it the country with the highest number of recorded deaths.

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.

The country’s first Nickel/Cobalt Mine developer continues to provide valuable assistance for the health care of the people of Madang province.

Madang Provincial Health Authority Chairman, Charles Kalana and the Chief Executive of, Fidelis Waipma received the cheque from MCC Chairman, Gao Yongxue.

Five specialized medical beds were also donated to complement the K100,000 cheque donation, specifically for treatment of COVID-19 patients at the Modilon General Hospital.

He said that like many of his discussions with PNG’s international friends, there was intense concern about the growing impacts of COVID-19 on the country.

“Our friends are worried about both the health and economic impacts, including the loss of jobs and incomes and budget revenues.

“Some in the opposition pretend that the COVID-19 global pandemic has not affected the economy, but the rest of the rationale world knows that it has caused enormous damage to PNG and the global economy,” Treasurer Ling-Stuckey said.

Most international airlines who fly into Australia are likely to accept only vaccinated passengers, with larger carriers now considering whether it is logistically and commercially viable to sell tickets to unvaccinated travellers. Some carriers have had their allocation of unvaccinated passengers capped at zero.