Anti-vaccination march disrupts city

SERVICES were disrupted in Lae on Friday as hundreds of residents staged a protest against the Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination, especially the ‘No jab, No job’ policy enforced by some business houses.
Metropolitan Chief Superintendent Chris Kunyanban said the protest was illegal.
Protesters complained that the ‘No jab, No job’ policy had affected many families.
Dunnah Uluwan, an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) graduate from the University of Technology said vaccination had become a requirement for recruiting.
“If you’re not vaccinated, you cannot have a job,” she said.
“Although this is a democratic country, and we have the right to choose not to be vaccinated, we cannot be employed.
“It’s happening to recent graduates and it will be worse for our future generation.”
Chief Supt Kunyanban told the protesters that the Government had made it clear that vaccination was not compulsory.
He said questions raised on health issues would be best answered by qualified health officials.
Police set up check-points at 2-Mile, Kamkumung and the Chinatown Bumbu Bridge.
Police reported that a police vehicle and two civilian vehicles were stoned.
“I was very mindful about properties – the shops, cars and houses along that corridor from Eriku down to the market,” he said.
“Only a few tried to push their individual agendas and we did receive complaints that people were being harassed for wearing masks.”
After the protesters were dispersed by midday, police continued patrolling the city to stop opportunists from taking advantage of the unrest.
All schools, health centres, business houses, shops and markets were closed for the day.
A few buses resumed services in the afternoon.