Public holiday for praying, fasting

By REBECCA KUKU
PRIME Minister James Marape has declared today a public holiday for praying and fasting.
His message was relayed yesterday by Health Minister Jelta Wong and Police Minister Bryan Kramer, encouraging citizens to stay at home and fast and pray for the nation as it battled the Covid-19.
Kramer said the ban on public gatherings was still in place. Therefore citizens must stay at home.
Meanwhile, the Government is concentrating on carrying out contact tracing, surveillance and testing of those who may have come in contact with the first confirmed Covid-19 case.
Police Minister Bryan Kramer, representing Prime Minister James Marape, said although the 45-year-old man had already left the country, the government needed to determine in the next 14 days whether the virus was transmitted to those he came into contact with.
“A team travelled to Wau-Bulolo with MP Sam Basil to carry out testing of people who travelled up to the mine site with the man,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said they were also placing more orders for personal protecting equipment which were in short supply globally.
“Also for the test kits, we have already placed orders for more,” he said.
The PNG Institute of Medical Research in Goroka has tested 38 samples so far.
Test results and Covid-19 updates are released by the Health Department.
“We conduct laboratory testing according to stringent guidelines for scientific rigor and biosafety that are consistent with the institute’s WHO accreditation,” institute director Prof William Pomat said.

Buses may operate in city, says Kramer

By REBECCA KUKU and SAMUEL BARIASI
THE Government has clarified that public vehicles such as buses and taxis in Port Moresby are allowed to continue operating.
Police Minister Bryan Kramer representing Prime Minister James Marape said the ban on public vehicles applied only to those travelling between provinces.
Port Moresby residents were stranded at bus stops and roadsides after some police officers stopped buses from operating.
“There is a misinformation. The restriction is only for public motor vehicles (PMV) travelling to the city from Central or Gulf,” he said.
“However, if they are carrying garden produce to sell at the markets in Port Moresby, then they will be allowed into the city.
“The restriction is to stop people from going into other provinces during this time as the Government conducts contact tracing of the positive Covid-19 case.

“PMVs can continue their services within the city as usual.”
The same rule applies to all provinces. Only PMVs transporting food will be allowed to cross into another province.
NCD PMV Association president Jack Wasu told The National yesterday that city residents needed buses to go to the shops, markets and hospitals.
But National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop said on his Facebook page yesterday that PMVs could be allowed to operate if they exercised social distancing and sanitising.
NCD/Central police commander, Assistant Police Commissioner Anthony Wagambie Jr told The National that PMVs should not operate.
“Covid-19 has the potential to spread faster in a bus if an infected person gets on,” he said.
“We have to do more awareness so that PMV operators know more about how Covid-19 spreads.”

Namah claims declaration of emergency illegal

By LULU MARK and REBECCA KUKU
OPPOSITION Leader Belden Namah claims that the declaration of the State of Emergency for the Covid-19 pandemic by Prime Minister James Marape is unconstitutional.
He said Parliament must be recalled to pass an Emergency Act, as required under the Constitution, to deal with an emergency such as the pandemic.
He cited Section 228 of the Constitution which outlines that the National Executive Council (NEC) should advise the Head of State to declare a national emergency in relation to the whole or part of the country in a National Gazette. Immediately thereafter, Parliament must be recalled (Section 230) to execute the Emergency Act.
“That Emergency Act will then provide for the emergency regulations and emergency orders that will take care of the human rights of citizens,” Namah said.
“All State agencies must know the legal extent of their powers under a state of emergency to carry out their duties to protect lives.”
He said Parliament must be recalled so that the emergency powers could executed.
But Police Minister Bryan Kramer representing Prime Minister James Marape said the NEC had the powers to declare a state of emergency for up to 15 days.
“This lockdown is only for 14 days. If we see the need to extend it, then we will recall Parliament and declare an extension. And if there is no need to extend after the 14 days, then there will be no need to recall Parliament,” he said.

ICCC concerned about hike in prices

THE Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) is concerned about the hiking of the cost of rice by some traders.
ICCC Commissioner and chief executive officer Paulus Ain said price gouging was immoral and affected consumers, particularly the most vulnerable such as the elderly and disadvantaged.
“Rice is a basic staple food subject to price regulation by ICCC under a price monitoring approach. It has come to our attention that some traders have suddenly increased the price of rice to take advantage of the panic shopping by citizens caused by the lockdown,” he said.
Ain said one major rice supplier informed the ICCC that they had not increased their prices since 2019.
“They have also informed ICCC that there is sufficient supply of rice in the country.” Ain said.
“So there is no reason for retailers and wholesalers to suddenly hike the prices for rice during this state of emergency.
“This type of conduct by certain businesses has the potential to stifle our efforts to contain the coronavirus. We strongly caution businesses not to hike prices.’
Ain said certain retail outlets had also significantly increased the prices of goods such as rice, flour and sugar which the ICCC was looking into.
“We will publish a list of goods and services that have been approved by the Minister for Treasury to be closely monitored during the State of Emergency.”
“Those found to be price gouging will be arrested and fined under the State of Emergency.”

Catholic church bans masses, cancels Good Friday march

THE Catholic Archdiocese of Port Moresby has suspended daily and Sunday masses until April 6 in compliance with the State of Emergency requirements.
Archbishop Cardinal Sir John Ribat in a circular urged parish priests to adhere to the directive “in a way that it will not cause panic among the faithful”.
He said there would be no masses on the next two Sundays, March 29 and April 5.
“There will be no masses in our parish churches but we will have televised mass and broadcast on Radio Maria. The Cardinal will be the main celebrant at 9am on the two Sundays.”
The annual Way of the Cross event on Good Friday is cancelled.
The chrism mass has been postponed to a later date.
The Easter tridium will be celebrated by a small group on April 9 and 10.
“And if the restriction is lifted, we will celebrate the Easter Sunday, followed by the Easter Monday clergy gathering at the chancery at 11 am.
“To our staff both property and chancery, during this two weeks of emergency period, are not required to come to work. If the situation improves, you should return for work on April 6.”