Infrared camera needed: Gure

AN infrared camera is needed at Jackson International Airport to aid in the coronavirus (Covid-19) surveillance system, Civil Aviation Minister Lekwa Gure says.
Gure, who is part of the ministerial committee that is overseeing the work of keeping the virus from entering the country, said Jackson was the gateway to the country and the surveillance system established there needed strengthening.
The Rigo MP said presently, there was a help desk where in-bound passengers from overseas ports would hand their health declaration forms and be checked and interviewed by health officials.
Gure said he was at the airport on Friday and saw arrivals being processed.
“The processing of passengers with the temperature apparatus and health declaration form is robust enough but we could improve that,” he said.
“We need to acquire this infrared camera as quickly as possible which will enhance the processing of passengers as they come in.”
Gure said health officials were checking passengers individually and 600-700 passengers and crew were processed daily.
He said the infrared cameras would detect anyone with a high temperature from the group of passengers that came in and they could be set aside for greater scrutiny.
“We are concentrating on air transport but there were also sea and land as well.”
Gure said the coronavirus issue was a wake up call.
“If we are not prepared for this sort if disease or events then we as a country must take steps to prepare ourselves well.
“Prepare ourselves in terms of infrastructure and in terms of other capacities as well.”
The minister said PNG was part of the global community and would deal with global emergencies such as this from time to time so there should be medical facilities and enough health professionals with necessary skills.
“We improve our preparedness in order to handle not only this coronavirus but any other events or medical events that may happen in the future as well,” Gure said.