COVID-19 pandemic

Provincial program advisor for education, Keith Tangui, said the three primary schools are Omili in Lae, Erap in Nawaeb district and Menyamya.

He said three teachers in Menyamya primary have contracted the virus, including a Grade Seven student.

“Omili we have got one teacher who was infected with COVID-19, including Erap,” stated Tangui.

Tangui said head teachers have already started contact tracing, where persons of interest will be isolated.

“Those who are suspected of having COVID will be transferred down to the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium to get tested.

National Pandemic Controller David Manning issued this directive yesterday, as per section 9(1)(a), 9(1)(r), 39, and 47 of the National Pandemic Act 2020. The directive is in effect, as of Wednesday 13 October, 2021.

Western, Sandaun (West Sepik), Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Morobe, Chimbu, Enga, Hela, Jiwaka and Southern Highlands are the high risk provinces.

Fifty-two health workers attended the training conducted by Nigel Uaiz, the NGI Coordinator for Covax Vaccination.

West New Britain provincial Health Authority’s Director of Public Health, Dr Joseph Nale had opened the training.

The training was facilitated to educate health workers with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine brought into the province.

This is the second training with the first being when AstraZeneca vaccine was brought into the country.

"As our country deals with this crisis it is no time for senseless politics. We need all Leaders to put differences aside, and work with a common resolve to fight back against COVID-19.

"How many Leaders in this House have been encouraging their constituents to

get vaccinated? … How many leaders are standing up and joining the Prime Minister to push for greater vaccination?"

He added that vaccination keeps people out of the healthcare system.

As the number of infected people soar, emergency response services have been stretched to limit. Ambulance services have struggled as calls for assistance grow.

This situation is made worse by alarmingly weak COVID-19 vaccination rates, of which PNG is among the lowest in the world.  

"While vaccine remains optional I am encouraging everyone to get vaccinated. Vaccines save lives. 

“There is a relative increase in vaccination, but it is still a tiny margin. We still have a long way to go before we reach that satisfactory target many countries have already reached for their people.

Also, in recognizing the dangerous operating environment health care staff work in, the Prime Minister further directed the Department of Health to immediately identify and implement health insurance options for all frontline health workers.

He said this in his address at a virtual Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting with 
UN Secretary General, H.E Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City this week.

“COVID-19 presents the biggest threat to the health and wellbeing of Pacific Peoples and indeed, the world, in over a century,” Marape said.

The renowned Goroka Show was cancelled at the last minute disappointing many who were already in town for the Show.

Local artists, Small, and Medim Enterprises spent a lot of money to travel into Goroka, some as performers, sellers of their local artefacts and many as spectators.

The announcement came from the Office of EHP Governor, Peter Numu and the Office of the Controller for PNG COVID-19 pandemic in the light of the increase of Delta Variant cases and deaths.

This arrangement is vital as the Government continues to find the balance between observing individual rights and keeping the economy of the country afloat.

This means business houses will have to “tailor-make” their specific COVID-19 protocols and get the endorsement of the National Pandemic Control Centre to make it operational for their respective workplaces.

Prime Minister James Marape revealed this in a breakfast meeting this week with the PNG business community.

For the period of 8^th September to 30th October 2021, the number of passengers the airline is permitted to carry into Sydney has been cut by 40 percent by the Australian government.

“Consequently, we expect that some passengers already holding tickets on PX001 to Sydney over this two-month period will not be able to travel, and will be contacted and assisted to re-book their flights for later dates.