EHP declares lockdown

The National Main Stories

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
EASTERN Highlands has gone into lockdown by closing its borders, ordering businesses to close at 2pm daily, and imposing a curfew from 5pm to contain the surge in Coronavirus (Covid-19) cases.
As of Saturday, the National Control Centre (NCC) reported 26 deaths in the province, with one Delta variant case confirmed, and 779 people who have recovered.
In the past seven days, 23 people tested positive.
Since September, there were 212 new cases.
The total cases in Eastern Highlands is 1,310.
Governor Peter Numu said the lockdown rules were:

  • MANDATORY mask-wearing;
  • BUSINESSES to close at 2pm and a curfew to from 5pm to 6am;
  • ONLY grades 8, 10 and 12 students to be in school to prepare for the national examinations; and,
  • STRICT protocols to be observed at the borders.

Provincial administrator John Gimiseve warned businesses to ensure that there were only 20 people working at any one time.
“Businesses are to close at 2pm, ensure that there are less than 20 people working, especially in supermarkets,” Numu said.
The main market at the Peace Park will be closed.
Clubs and gambling premises will also be closed.
Schools will continue to operate but with strict coronavirus protocols
Checkpoints will be set up at district borders to monitor people movement.