Person of interest detained

The National Main Stories

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
A PERSON of interest in relation to Covid-19, who could not be found after she returned from Indonesia, has been detained by Vanimo police in West Sepik, provincial police commander Chief Insp Moses Ibsagi says.
“She was among some people from East Sepik, especially from the Wingei area in West Yangoru, who had illegally crossed the PNG-Indonesian border to sell vanilla beans in Jayapura city last month, Chief Insp Ibsagi said.
“These people evaded the West Sepik Covid-19 taskforce and went to their respective villages in West Yangoru.
“They were arrested by the East Sepik Covid-19 taskforce and quarantined in their houses in their respective villages as they were now persons of interest.
“However, this woman escaped from the East Sepik Covid-19 taskforce and returned to Vanimo in West Sepik.
“Upon tip-off by the public of her presence, the police went to the house and arrested her on Wednesday.
“She is now in the cell.”
Meanwhile, Chief Insp Ibsagi said that the five persons of interest were arrested at Dapu, outside Vanimo town, are still in quarantine at Vanimo jail.
“Four are from Wingei and one is from Lumi, West Sepik,” he said.
“They had illegally crossed into Jayapura city on March 21 to sell their selling vanilla beans.
“They came back to Vanimo last Thursday and we arrested them on Saturday.
“Three Indonesians, who had illegally entered West Sepik last month for unknown business, were arrested at Warapu village, Aitape, West Sepik.
“They are now persons of interest and are in quarantine.”

Addressing the community … East Sepik Governor Allan Bird (left) speaking to people in Yangoru-Saussia which has six persons of interest in the Wingei area. Bird said the Wingei community blocked off the affected villages and would not allow anyone out. – Picture courtesy of ESP Governor Allan Bird Facebook page
Lockdown measures … Aitape West inland community taking the state of emergency 14-day lockdown measures seriously. – Picture courtesy of Aitape-Lumi coronavirus awareness campaign Facebook page
Customer service … Shops in Lae are open to provide basic services and have been cooperative since the state of emergency Covid-19 lockdown. They are providing hand sanitisers to customers and laid out markings on the floor at check-out counters for social distancing. Lae MP and Minister for Lands and Physical Planning John Rosso has commended the shops such as Seeto Kui, Big V and others that have implemented safety measures. He acknowledged the business houses for their cooperation in bringing awareness on Covid-19. Pictured are Big V staff with gloves and face masks. – Nationalpic by LARRY ANDREW