Police warn people to maintain order

By REBECCA KUKU
POLICE Commissioner David Manning has called on the people to refrain from taking part in criminal activities during the 14-day lockdown.
Manning, also the State of Emergency Controller, said there were reports of looting in Port Moresby and Mt Hagen but the situations were quickly addressed by police and brought under control.
“No matter how much we send out the message about our efforts in dealing with the pandemic, or how much reassurance we give to the public, there will always be opportunists,” he said.
“But police will ensure order is maintained.”
He said road blocks would be established at provincial boundaries along the Highlands Highway.
“But that does not stop the transportation of goods, pharmaceutical drugs and medicines, and fuel. They will be allowed through.”
He said the focus now was on creating more awareness.
“Misinformation is our biggest enemy in this fight against Covid-19.
“Our aim is to send out the right information and at the same time educate people,” he said.
Meanwhile, 13 men who chartered a flight to Daru were ordered to turn back to Port Moresby yesterday as they had not completed the 14-day isolation period.

University suspends lectures for next 14 days

By STAFF REPORTERS
THE University of PNG has suspended classes for two weeks in response to the State of Emergency declared by Prime Minister James Marape on Sunday.
Vice-Chancellor Frank Griffin told university staff and students yesterday at the forum square as from today, the university would “cease all its operations for the 14-day lockdown”.
Non-residential students will not be allowed into the campus for the next two weeks. All university facilities will be closed except the mess and clinic. Griffin urged the students to continue observing the health guidelines to protect themselves and stop the Covid-19 from spreading in campus.
“During this extended rest period, students and staff and their families must continue to practise personal hygiene, social distancing and environmental hygiene,” Griffin said.
Griffin warned students to take seriously warnings on the Covid-19.
“Do not think that you are invincible against this virus because of your age. We have seen how it has affected all age groups in both China and Italy. So take these health precautions seriously,” he said.
Griffin also announced the postponement of the graduation ceremony scheduled for next month.
“We are not cancelling the graduation but just postponing it until it is safe to conduct huge gatherings again,” Griffin said.
Meanwhile, the University of Goroka also indefinitely deferred its graduation scheduled for April 17. Vice-Chancellor Professor Musawe Sinebare sent home the 5,000-plus students as lectures were cancelled yesterday.
“We want students to cover their learning hours and therefore lecturers will have to come up with a creative way of delivering their academic programmes. We may have to revise the academic calendar if necessary,” he said.

Australia gives K1.7mil to PNG for coronavirus response

AUSTRALIA has provided K1.7 million to support Papua New Guinea in its response to the coronavirus (Covid-19).
The PNG Government has already committed K4.5million to the Covid-19 response.
“This support will help PNG’s health system fight the coronavirus and protect the community,” said Health and HIV-AIDS Minister Jelta Wong.
“The Government and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are working to ensure we have the right tools, information and resources to keep Papua New Guineans safe.”
Earlier this month, Australia provided personal protective equipment for frontline health workers.
WHO recommends that people familiarise themselves with basic protective measures against Covid-19.
This includes the frequent washing of hands with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub, and maintaining social distancing to prevent infection from coughs and sneezes.
Papua New Guineans are advised to keep up to date with the latest information from the Government.
The Australian Government funding is overseen by WHO and aligns with the PNG Government’s reprioritisation of resources towards the Covid-19 emergency preparedness.

Schools close for two weeks in response to Covid-19

ALL schools have been closed for two weeks in response to the national response to the Covid-19, says Education Minister Joseph Yopyyopy.
They include elementary schools, primary schools, high schools, secondary schools, and vocational schools, national high schools, special education centers, flexible open and distance education centers, teachers colleges and technical/business colleges.
Yopyyopy said he would issue another directive on Friday April 3 after assessing the Covid-19 status.
The two-week first term school holidays were to start on Monday April 20. Term Two was to start May 4.
He will issue new dates for the end of Term One and the start of Term Two.
Examination dates, term dates, and inspection ratings would be “reviewed where necessary”.
“All national education events and activities such as workshops are suspended,” he said.
“It is possible that nationwide school suspension can mitigate the incidence of the pandemic.”
He advised provincial education boards to consult their provincial governments and oversee the suspension of classes.
“Teachers should report for student supervisory duties, but strict protocol and preventative measures must be taken all the time,” Yopyyopy said.

Hospitals, shops, fuel stations to remain open, says Marape

By REBECCA KUKU
HEALTH services, public utilities, banks, shops, fuel stations, police and the defence force will remain operational during the 14-day lockdown, says Prime Minister James Marape.
He explained yesterday that State of Emergency effective from today was to ensure “we have an isolation strategy to pinpoint if the virus is present in the country after the first breach of security where a case was confirmed in Lae”.
He said the 45-year-old man who arrived from Spain through Singapore on March 14 had been “transferred to Australia”.
“Authorities are now retracing the first case to ensure we have a map of the impact (if any) so we can know correct statistics and put in strategies to deal with Covid-19,” he said.
Provincial governments will coordinate with provincial health authorities and provincial police commanders to handle awareness and coordination of prevention and treatment at the provincial level.
People are banned from “travelling from district to district or province to province”.
“All schools remain shut for 14 days. Day students should stay at home and boarding schools, universities and colleges are to maintain boarding of students but no classes are to be taught.”
Marape warned that those spreading false information and organising public gatherings would be charged.
He met with Central Bank officials and the chief executive officers of banks and two super funds to discuss “specific economic interventions for employees, individuals and businesses struggling as a result of the crisis we are in”.
“I ask our citizens not to panic. The Government will do everything possible to stop Covid-19 from coming into PNG, stop it from spreading and killing” people.