Provinces responsible for Covid-19 responses

By HELEN TARAWA
PROVINCIAL governments will be responsible for the Covid-19 responses in the next three months, Prime Minister James Marape says.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Marape said the Autonomous Region of Bougainville will take responsibility of the Covid-19 approach.
“At the National Control Centre, we will take the queue from what the provinces want, ensure the plans are embraced, support with funding and resources and build capacity,” he said.
“We need to control the Covid-19, if not contain, in the next three or four months, it could affect our country.
“The Government will come from a policy control and readjust the operation of the control centre.”
Marape said the Government planned to establish an autonomous office that facilitated the Covid-19 operations, allowing Police Comm David Manning and Health secretary Dr Osborne Liko to handle their day-to-day jobs.
“We ensure we adjust to live with the Covid-19 and transfer functional responsibilities to the provinces.
“A district in National Capital District and a region and the regional government in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville will run the pandemic operations.”
“The 22 coordinating points in our provinces in NCD and Bougainville will be responsible for Covid-19 protocols and lifestyle.”