Controller issues 11 emergency orders in fight against virus

The National National

STATE of emergency (SOE) controller and Police Commissioner David Manning has issued 11 emergency orders to date to assist the Government contain the spread of Covid-19.
Following the revelation of a second Covid-19 patient in East New Britain, emergency order one regarding international and domestic travel was rescinded and emergency order 7 issued to help the state respond to Covid-19.
Prime Minister James Marape revealed last week that a 40-year-old woman who developed symptoms on March 23 was admitted to the Nonga Hospital’s isolation ward three days later and was treated for severe respiratory illness.
He said her tests came back positive and the standard health response protocols were initiated.
She was isolated and quarantined. She recovered and was sent home.
A Covid-19 rapid response team and a team of medical experts were deployed to the province to deal with contact tracing, isolation and treatment.
As a result of the discovery of the second patient Manning issued directives to:

  • LOCKDOWN ENB for the next 21 days;
  • RESTRICT commercial flights and shipping in and out of ENB with exception of cargos and medical/health personnel only; and,
  • MOUNT road blocks between ENB and West New Britain.

Also, eleven emergency orders have been issued to date.
Emergency Order No.1 for domestic and international travel was revoked and replaced with emergency order No.7 for international travels.
The order:

  • DETAIL one airport and four ports for entry into PNG;
  • DOES not allow any person including PNG citizens and permanent residents to enter PNG unless authorised by the SOE controller;
  • SUSPENDS traditional border crossing arrangements for travel between Indonesia, Australia, the Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands;
  • ALLOWS for all PNG citizens and permanent residents returning to PNG by aircraft to be quarantined at a designated facility in Port Moresby at the Government’s cost; and,
  • ALLOWS for all non-PNG citizens and non-permanent residents returning to PNG by aircraft to be quarantined at a designated hotel in Port Moresby at the individual’s cost.

For domestic travel, no roadblocks are to be established by any person except for those directed by the controller.
For domestic travel to border provinces, no persons may travel from or to the Western province, Sandaun (West Sepik), except those exempted, authorised in writing by the emergency controller or in possession of a travel pass issued by the national operations centre.
Domestic travel is not allowed to and from provinces with confirmed cases of Covid-19.
Domestic flights to and from selected airports are to be authorised by the controller.
And all flights to and from approved airports will meet the requirements where personal hygiene and social distancing is practiced, passengers must have valid reason to travel and that passenger must complete an air passenger travel approval form. National Emergency Order No.2: The order outlines the conduct of business operations and socials events in the country for the duration of the SOE.
National Emergency Order No.3: For provincial coordination the order establishes the provincial coordination team and appoints all provincial administrators as authorised officers according to the emergency laws.
For the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, the chief secretary ARB has been appointed as the authorised officer under the SOE.
National Emergency Order No.4: For continuance of public utility services the order directs that all essentials public utility services such as electricity, water, sewerage and garbage, postal services, telecommunications, fire service and motor vehicle licensing to take necessary steps to operate as effectively as possible during the national emergency period.
National Emergency Order No.5: For the protection of government employee the controller directs that all government employees continue to be paid during the SOE period.
National Emergency Order No.6: Gives the dates of effect of emergency orders 1-5. National Emergency Order No.8: Directs all educational institutions to be closed until April 27.
National Emergency Order No.9: For public transportation directs that 25-30 seater public transport vehicles may continue only if passengers are limited to 15.
Other smaller public transport vehicles to carry five persons less than the allowed capacity and taxis to limit to two passengers only.
National Emergency Order No.10: Directs that no person or venue shall sell liquor for the duration of the national emergency except for hotels, and restaurant with valid liquor licence, major supermarkets with a valid liquor licence, wholesale with a valid liquor licence who may only sell to major supermarkets, hotels, restaurants with a valid licence. Further, alcohol sold by any premises exempted may only be consumed on the premises on which it is sold.
National Emergency Order No.11: Directs that for the purposes of this emergency, the controller or his delegate shall be the only person permitted to buy or procure goods listed in the schedule as restricted goods.