Briefs

Patrols to begin
LAND and maritime border patrols in the country’s southern border is expected to start today after police personnel were deployed there on Friday. This was according to the SOE Controller David Manning yesterday, who added that a barge carrying small-boat teams and assets arrived on Sunday morning.

Checks going on
SOE Controller David Manning says: “We are currently maintaining 39 checkpoints in the country, 13 of which are declared roadblocks in and around provinces that have positive cases of Covid-19. The police are deployed with the PNG Defence Force,and Health Department teams in Vanimo, Wewak, Daru, Weam, and Kiunga.”

Quarantine area
SOE Controller David Manning says the Wutung border facility in West Sepik would be used to quarantine people coming across the border. He said: “PNG Power Ltd is attending to Wutung to ensure that power is reaching the area.”

PMVs to operate
All public motor vehicles in East New Britain have been advised to start operating. According to the protocol statement from the ENB state of emergency (SOE) controller and administrator Wilson Matava, the protocols served to guide the PMV operators and the general public on the requirements of PMV operations in the province.

Operations watched
Business houses in East New Britain will be operating under the state of emergency (SOE) protocols. According to ENB SOE controller and administrator Wilson Matava, the business houses were fully operational from yesterday but still under strict scrutiny and requirements under the SOE laws.

Funding support
The Australian government has committed AU$9.6 million (K21.4 million) in funding to Papua New Guinea’s provincial health authorities and the Autonomous Bougainville government to support provincial Covid-19 preparedness and response activities in the country.