Concerns over effect of vaccine hesitancy

A NUMBER of concerns have been raised about vaccination hesitancy, which has hindered business prospects during the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the Bank South Pacific Financial Group Pacific Economic and Market Insights – June Quarter, 2021, the Government and businesses should work on how to address vaccination hesitancy.
BSP Group general manager corporate banking, Peter Beswick, said the Covid-19 Delta variant lifting infection rates regionally had been the catalyst for domestic travel restrictions which hindered business activities.
“Unless vaccinated, travel is limited to essential business and emergency only,” he said.
“The closure of Pacific Island countries to the rest of the world has allowed countries in the region to maintain a Covid-19-free status.
“However, the lack of movement of people and goods is causing economic hardship.
“Furthermore, PNG’s international travel quarantine requirements were recently increased from seven days of home quarantine to 21 days at an approved quarantine facility.”
Despite ongoing concerns, PNG businesses are looking to participate both directly and indirectly in some of the Government infrastructure initiatives to create significant opportunities.
These infrastructure initiatives include the K582 million package commitment of Australian and PNG Government’s Pacific step-up initiative, the K146 million Lombrum Naval Base project, the K1.1 billion national port rehabilitation programme, the PNG Electrification Partnership with Australia, Japan, the United States and New Zealand 70 per cent coverage by 2030, and also the K692 million Japan International Cooperation Agency and National Airports Corporation Nadzab Airport Redevelopment.