State of emergency

The move was requested by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, and allows Mr Muhyiddin to suspend parliament at a time when his government is weakened.

The palace said the emergency would last until 1 August, unless cases were brought under control earlier.

Critics say it allows Mr Muhyiddin's unstable government to cling to power.

The prime minister came to power in March last year with a thin majority, but was facing threats from coalition allies to withdraw support for his government, triggering a snap election.

Red Star Investments in Kavieng was issued two infringement notices while Island Store, Arrow Trading 1 and Arrowing Trading 2 were issued the other four infringement notices.

Each infringement notice carries a spot fine of K5,000.

ICCC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Paulus Ain, said if shops need to increase the price of goods during the State of Emergency period above five percent then they need to seek the approval of the ICCC first.

The campaign by Puma Energy donates a toea from every litre of fuel that is sold in Port Moresby during the State of Emergency (SOE) to support the ambulance service in the fight against COVID-19.

Yesterday, Puma Energy PNG Country Manager, Hulala Tokome, presented a cheque of K33, 640 to St John Ambulance Commissioner, Matthew Cannon.

The amount presented is from Aprils takings under the ‘Fill Up, Feel Good’ Campaign.

These include the reopening of flights into East New Britain, resumption of public transport, and amendment of the curfew in NCD, Central and Western Province.

In a statement issued, as of 6pm April 24^th, all:

·       Flights restrictions into and out of Rabaul are lifted and the Port of Rabaul to be re-opened as a designated international shipping port.

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Perou N’dranou, said this after police intercepted the vehicle transporting the betel nut bags on Sunday April 12^th at Morata.

The Metropolitan Superintendent said the suspect who transported a Landcruiser filled with betel-nut bags is expected to be arrested soon.

The directive was issued on MOnday 14th April.

However, he directed that Emergency Order 14 (seizure of aircraft, vehicle, vessels and perishable goods pursuant to the National Emergency) will continue.

Manning said whilst there is a need to restrict movement of people to stop the spread of coronavirus or COVID-19 there must be minimum disruption to the lives of the people.

Abe will likely announce his plans to declare the emergency on Monday, Japan time, the paper said, while Kyodo news agency said new measures would likely come into force on Wednesday.

Pressure had been mounting on the government to make the move as the pace of infections continues to accelerate - particularly in the capital - even though it remains slow for now compared with the United States, countries in Europe and China, where thousands have died.

Marape informed of the need to be strategic and targeted when rolling out Government contingents and preventive measures on COVID-19 in his statement at the Special Parliament on Thursday, April 2^nd, 2020.

He says all agencies must comply and align their plans with the orders aimed at managing and containing any likelihood of this virus spreading.

They made this announcement in a press conference yesterday afternoon.

The K5.5 million will be used by the Western SOE team to run Covid-19 awareness, support border surveillance by the joint police and military forces, establish quarantine and isolation facilities at the Kiunga and Daru hospitals and to maintain law and order issues in the province in the midst of the state of emergency.

With a landmass of 98 thousand square meters, the first strategy the Western province SOE team is doing is to make people aware.

He said people in the province need to begin growing their own food and raise livestock for self-sustenance as well as to potentially supply Port Moresby or other centers.

Agarobe made the call in an update on COVID-19 measures undertaken by the Provincial Government.

Governor Agarobe said the current State of Emergency has shown how a crisis lockdown can affect food supply chains to and from the Province.

He said with the current wet weather, locals need to toil the land in anticipation of a shortage of food stocks both processed and local produce.