Hunters out for 11 weeks

By STAFF REPORTERS
THE SP Hunters will be out of action for at least 11 weeks following the suspension of the Intrust Super Cup competition by Queensland Rugby League due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Domestic sports also took a big hit yesterday when the PNG Sports Foundation stopped the use of all sporting facilities for four weeks, meaning the suspension of all organised sporting events.
The Hunters, who beat the South Logan Magpies 32-30 on Sunday at Davies Park in Brisbane, were preparing to face the Townsville Blackhawks this weekend there.
A PNG Rugby Football League spokesperson told The National last night that the team would return home after that match this weekend.
It is understood that the Queensland Rugby League will talk to the 14 clubs taking part in the Intrust Super Cup competition to facilitate the resumption of the matches on June 5. It will then give the clubs the opportunity to play each other once before the finals series. The round-one results will stand.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape yesterday said international flights would be scaled down from Sunday.
“We will cease flights into and out of Hong Kong, Philippines, Narita, Sydney, Honiara and Nadi. We will only have controlled entry from Brisbane, Cairns and Singapore,” he said.
“Port Moresby, Madang, Lae and Kokopo are our designated ports. All passengers and ship hands will go through the same checking and registry procedures as air travelers.”
He also said proper protocols and procedures would be put in place to address any future global health emergency. He said on his social media page that the National Security Council decided to upgrade the Covid-19 (coronavirus) from a health issue to a national security issue. He said the pandemic affected social security, health and the economy.
“This is not the first health issue and scare and will not be the last. So we have been working to ensure that proper protocols and procedures are in place so that Covid-19 or future endemics and or pandemics (are addressed through) a national response protocol.”
He thanked MPs and Governors who have allocated funds “to assist in this fight”.
The World Bank is also willing to give us U$20 million (K68.3mil) in assistance, he said.
“A network of bilateral partners are also ready to assist in every phase of this epidemic and we continue to promote healthy lifestyle and discourage our people from mass gatherings in social and communal activities,” he said.