Entry into PNGDF headquarters restricted

DEFENCE Force Minister Saki Soloma says entry into the Defence Force headquarters at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby will be restricted to officers and families.
The measure was taken in response to the confirmed Covid-19 case at the barracks last Saturday.
An Australian Defence Force officer is now in isolation after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Soloma wished the Australian officer a speedy recovery.
“He has been in isolation for nearly three weeks and is showing signs of improvement,” he said.
He thanked the Australia soldiers for supporting Papua New Guinea.
“It would have been easy for them to return to Australia but instead they have remained by our side to combat the virus, providing planning, logistic and administrative assistance for over three months.”
He said the access to the barracks “will be extended to other military bases in Port Moresby”.
“There has also been a rigorous contact tracing programme put in place to ensure we know where the patient may have contracted the virus and who he had been in contact with before going into isolation,” he said.
“The PNGDF are also undertaking a testing programme, led by the Chief of the Defence Force, Secretary of Defence and senior staff, and adjusting their work patterns for the next two weeks to reduce the potential of further cases to occur.”