Briefs

Funds to be accounted for
STATE of Emergency (SOE) Controller and Police Comm David Manning says all funds expended for the SOE will be fully accounted for. “As per the SOE law, an audit report is being finalised to be presented to the Government,” Manning said. He said he was satisfied with the Government’s approach to managing the Covid-19 pandemic in the country. However, he added that there was still more to be done to keep PNG safe.

PPEs for health workers
PNG will receive more than K2 million worth of personal protective equipment (PPEs) next month for frontline health workers, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef). Unicef representative David Mcloughlin said more than 670,000 PPEs including examination gloves, N95 masks, surgical face masks, protective goggles, face shields and long-sleeve gowns would be distributed to frontline health workers.

Organisation donates PPEs
WEST New Britain health authority (PHA) chairman Dr Mathias Sapuri says 4,768 individual pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) were donated by the Australian Doctors International (ADI) and distributed throughout the province over the past two months. The supplies included N95 and examination masks, hand sanitiser, protective goggles, testing swab and disposable ponchos.

Social distancing a problem
LAE Met Supt Chief Supt Chris Kunyanban says the main challenge that police have seen through the state of emergency is social distancing. He said Lae had been fortunate that the Covid-19 had not affected it despite the majority of people not strictly observing social distancing.

Students’ learning affected
STUDENTS’ learning will be affected greatly if the Government does not relax some of the Covid-19 protocols it has in place, an education official says. Acting Morobe education adviser Keith Tangui said Morobe had seen many students not learning adequately during this “new normal” period and called for some protocols to be relaxed.

MP supports uni students
STUDENTS from Sinasina-Yongumugl (SSY), Chimbu, studying at the University of Goroka used K25,000 given by their local MP Kerenga Kua to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and food supplies. SSY student mentor Brian Kale and student president Paul Milima thanked Kua for the assistance.

Bank backs initiative
WESTPAC Bank recently supported the Lae City Hand Up initiative with K10,000. The bank’s chief executive Brett Hooker was in Lae to witness the launch of the programme and said: “It’s a great initiative between the Australian government, through its Lae Consulate-General, and the Lae City Authority.”

Schools observe measures
SCHOOLS in Hela have implemented their Covid-19 preventive measures, says provincial education director Ronny Angu. “We are also encouraging everyone (staff, visitors and students) to wash their hands before, during and after class,” he said.