Briefs
Border challenges
THE Covid-19 operations along the PNG-Indonesian border have exposed challenges faced by border villagers, SOE Controller David Manning says. Manning, also the Police Commissioner, said: “Lack of basic infrastructure to these areas and the general isolation is both a blessing and a challenge.”
Official wants grants
West Sepik administrator Conrad Tilau said the only way to develop infrastructure and restore Government services to prevent PNG villagers from crossing into Indonesia is to restore the border development grants (BDG). He said: “I want the national government to reintroduce BDGs to help government border officers man the PNG-Indonesian border.”
Contact tracing
COURT users at the National and Supreme will be issued a form called Covid-19 visitor tracing document whenever they enter the courthouse, says National and Supreme Court Registrar Ian Augerea. Augerea said: “If in the unfortunate event that we need to trace people due to a positive reading, we ask that you fill the form and drop it at the security desk at the entrance every time you enter.”
Covid-19 awareness
LOCAL administrations in the four districts of East New Britain will kick-start awareness exercise campaigns on coronavirus this week. ENB state of emergency controller and administrator Wilson Matava revealed this following a special provincial executive council decision passed last month for a mass awareness in the province.
Checkpoint manned
ABOUT 150 youths in the Awowota blocks of Popondetta in Northern have set up a checkpoint to control the movement of the people in the community during the SOE period. Youth leader Jeremic Riroriro said the youths confiscated betel nuts, mustard, homebrew and marijuana from people who were using bush tracks to take these items into Popondetta town for sale.
Food security
KOKONUS Industri Koporesen (KIK) capacity building manager Alfred Nongkas says a strategy during SOE is to improve food security in East New Britain.Nongkas said if any province knew how to look after their patients and manage coronavirus, they should also know how to empower and look after their people and save them from disaster.
Schools resume
Bougainville SOE controller Francis Tokura issued emergency Order No. 3 for the Autonomous Region instructing all tertiary institutions to resume classes yesterday and all Covid-19 health protocols to be strictly observed in schools. Tokura also said travel restrictions were still in place and that all incoming flights were restricted except for medical equipment and other essential materials. The ban on consumption, sale and transportation of beer remain.
Training given
THE Morobe health authority conducted a series of training on infection prevention and control for Covid-19 for various stakeholders in the province.