Lockdown achieves its purpose

The National Letters

I COMMEND the Government for being proactive regarding the Covid-19 global pandemic by declaring a state of emergency, introducing the 14-day lockdown.
It has achieved its intended purpose in rounding up persons who came in contact with the index case.
Especially those in the flight from Singapore to Port Moresby, Port Moresby to Lae/Hoskins and bus trip from Lae to Wau/Bulolo.
However, the Government’s decision came at a cost both to the government and the community.
The cost borne by the Government is monetary while the cost incurred to the society is monetary and inconvenience; especially restricting the movement of people.
I would like to provide some alternatives to the Government in the event that the 14-day lockdown is either lifted or extended.
The following conditions need to be observed:

  • ALLOW domestic flights to operate however passengers need to present their Covid-19 test results from an approved testing facility during check-in with valid ID cards and has to be recent within 14 days from the date of travel;
  • INTER-provincial travels need to check recent Covid-19 test results from an approved testing facility that also confirms to an ID; and has to be recent within 14 days from the date of travel. Border checks should defer in regions, as procedures and rules applied in land borders may not be applicable on sea borders;
  • SOCIAL distancing to be strictly observed by both domestic air, land and sea travels. A 15-seater bus needs to carry seven passengers, 25-seater bus carries 15 passengers while aircrafts and sea crafts should carry half of their carrying capacity;
  • INTERNATIONAL land borders should have stringent strategies in place, especially the Indonesian border. However our sea borders has to be manned by navy with ships while our infantry units should be deployed to land borders from Vanimo to Daru, Western.

Ricks Nisia Tanda,
Gerehu 3B, NCD