Restrictions on travel to ENB, WNB extended

TRAVEL restrictions to East New Britain (ENB) and West New Britain (WNB) have been extended to Jan 21 because of a surge in Covid-19 cases, an official says.
ENB administrator Wilson Matava said the province had 30 positive cases, WNB had 140 and New Ireland 12.
Matava said health authorities were concerned about the high degree of complacency among the people as regards the established Covid-19 protocols.
Matava warned that the situation, if not attended to, could force provinces in the New Guinea Ireland region to deal with the rapid spread of the Covid-19 in the community which could cripple the health sector and other government services.
There is now a total ban on travelling between WNB and ENB provinces along the New Britain Highway and by sea.
“The New Britain Highway is closed effective from Jan 8 and the travel ban will include sea boarders with the New Ireland province,” said Matava.
“I am calling on people using small boats to travel from WNB and New Ireland to cease entering ENB,” he said.
He warned those involved in the trading of betel nut and drugs that they could face a spot fine of K10,000 under the National Pandemic Act 2020.