Briefs

Ban betel nuts
A LOCAL entrepreneur from Western Highlands is suggesting the government bans selling of betel nuts in public areas following the state of emergency. Willie Noki said people in the SME sector should be helped through other avenues.

Firm conveys info
COFFEE company Outspan PNG Ltd has embarked on a strategy to convey Covid-19 preventative messages to the 700,000 people of the Eastern Highlands. The firm has partnered churches to set up teams of 100 pastors for each district to disseminate the message.

Masks for students
The Jimi Secondary School in Jiwaka has ordered more than 2,000 masks for its students, teachers and staff to use from today when classes resume for the second term. The school has also allocated a room for any Covid-19 patient in the school and also provided tanked water for students to wash their hands.

Flee from Covid-19
ABOUT 50 people who travelled from three villages along the border of Indonesia and Telefomin, West Sepik, left their homes in fear of Covid-19 recently and are still at Okisai village at Frieda River in the Telefomin LLG. Oksai ward councillor Takoti Fotisep urged relevant authorities to visit the area and deal with people who were trading illegally despite travel restrictions.

Illegal activities
Telefomin Police Station commander Snr Constable Prais Kaiyus says he is aware of activities at the border and has informed relevant authorities in Vanimo. He said Telefomin police did not have enough manpower to travel to that area to assess the situation and if it meant to arrest those people, they would have to do that.