Civil servants to drive awareness campaign on virus

NON-essential civil servants will drive an awareness and assessment campaign in the 41 suburbs and villages of the National Capital District in a bid to contain the spread of the Covid-19, an official says.
Prime Minister James Marape yesterday launched the joint initiative by the departments of the prime minister, personnel management, youth, religion and community development to stop the Covid-19 transmission in Port Moresby, and to Gulf and Central.
The Covid-19 awareness and impact assessment plan involves the distribution of personal protective equipment, community awareness and community assessment.
Non-essential public servants were told last week to stay at home during the duration of the current 14-day shutdown.
“Today we are faced with this war against a virus that is unknown but can be contained,” Marape said.
Areas to be covered are the suburbs, settlements and village in the National Capital District.
Public Service Minister Soroi Eoe said 30 public servants from each of the three departments and other agencies would be involved.
“This is important as it requires the involvement of a lot of people but we need to be cautious,” Eoe said.
Minister for Youth, Religion and Community Development Wake Goi said the engagement of non-essential public servants was important.
“There will be discouragement and complaints from communities but let’s meet our target by ensuring that Covid-19 is eradicated from this city and country,” Goi said.
Marape urged everyone to heed the Covid-19 preventive measures.