MP calls on authorities to close track

National

SOHE MP Henry Amuli wants State of Emergency controller David Manning and police and health ministers to close off Kokoda Track.
Amuli made the call following reports of huge numbers of people using the track to get away due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
“We have a huge number of people in Port Moresby now using the Kokoda Track to return home,” he said.
“These people include those from the Highlands and Momase and our own locals from Popondetta who live in Port Moresby.
“My local communities are now scared of the spread of the coronavirus along the Kokoda Track into Sohe and the rest of Northern.”
Amuli said according to reports, hundreds of people crossed from Owen’s Corner to Kokoda and many more were travelling.
He was concerned that there may not be any police checks at Owen’s Corner in Sogeri.
“It’s very hard for us to stop them at the Kokoda Station as they had crossed already,” he said.
“Highlanders were stopped last week but released because my policemen at the station can’t do much.
“I have only two regular policemen there.
“Please, if we can stop other routes in Port Moresby and air services to Popondetta, monitor and stop people from going through the Kokoda Track.”