Border on lockdown

THE two-week lockdown of the East New Britain (ENB) border with neighbouring West New Britain (WNB) will continue after it was suppose to end on Sunday.
ENB administrator Wilson Matava confirmed with The National on Monday, the ENB borders with WNB would remain closed as the province looked to stop the spread of the Covid-19 into half of its island.
He said the ENB administration decided to extend the closure of entry points to Jan 3 and all travellers needed to get health clearance at provincial Covid-19 centres in Kimbe and Kokopo.
Matava said betel nut trading between the two provinces was banned until Jan 3 – this was based on issues experienced during the initial 14-day lockdown.
“We are putting a stop to all buai trade on the New Britain Highway and sea routes of both provinces,” he said.
“The first 14 days surveillance on the Covid-19 at the entry point was successful and I commend the ENB health authority, police, ward members and the ward development committees for manning the check points,” Matava said.
He said measures were in place after Covid-19 cases were reported in West New Britain.
WNB has now recorded 103 Covid-19 cases.
Police Commissioner and National Pandemic Controller David Manning confirmed that police would be assisting ENB administration to facilitate the extended lockdown.
WNB health authority chief executive Stanis Tao confirmed that the borders were closed.