School holidays brought forward

By REBECCA KUKU
All schools will be closed for 14 days from today as authorities tighten surveillance and enforce safety measures after the first case on coronavirus was confirmed in Lae.
Prime Minister James Marape announced a State of Emergency and ordered a 14-day lockdown yesterday, bringing forward the school holidays for Term One.
“Education and Higher Education departments are asked to advance their first term holiday as of March 23 and the next 14 days are to be school holidays,” he said.
“All heads of departments and private companies are to embrace safe work place practices. All non-essential staff are asked to stay at home for the next 14 days.”
Marape said all incoming international flights, and all domestic flights be stopped from tomorrow.
He also said banks and financial institutions and super funds would be asked to work with Government on economic rescue packages for businesses.
Marape announced the country’s first confirmed imported case of the Covid-19 last Friday.
Marape said the 45-year-old man entered the country from Spain via Singapore and showed no symptoms of the Covid-19 on arrival.
But he later developed symptoms early last week.
He said the man was isolated and would be sent back overseas.

Airline clarifies flight restrictions

By DALE LUMA
ONLY Papua New Guinea passport holders and permanent residents are allowed to enter the country, according to Air Niugini.
A spokesperson for the airline said this in response to queries by The National on whether foreigners with work permits and visas would be barred from entering the country.
Prime Minister James Marape announced last week that flights from Hong Kong, Philippines, Narita (Japan), Sydney, Honiara and Nadi would be ceased.
Marape said flights would be scaled down for a two-week trial period with the decision coming into effect on March 22.

Marape also stated that only controlled entries would be allowed through Brisbane, Cairns and Singapore.
“As per the government’s announcement, only PNG passport holders and permanent residents are allowed to come into the country,” the spokesman said.
“They will be allowed to come in between Brisbane, Cairns and Singapore within that period and not anyone else.
“However, anyone can fly out of PNG as the restriction does not apply to outbound passengers.”
The airline’s corporate communications department also posted on its Facebook page that only Australian citizens and permanent residents would be permitted to travel to Australia.
It said this was in compliance with Australian Border Control requirements which came into effect on Friday. The company stated that further updates would be given in due course.

O’Neill: It’s safer to go back to your villagers

Former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has urged people living in urban centers who fear being exposed to the coronavirus to immediately go to their villages.
O’Neill, the Ialibu-Pangia MP from Southern Highlands, on how to stay safe from the coronavirus said: “If you have any of the signs such as coughing, headaches, high temperature, tiredness and shortness of breath, you should act to protect yourself and your families.
“While in self-isolation, you should not allow visitors to your community over the next few months,” he said.
“If you are in towns or urban areas and not working, it is time to consider going home before any outbreak starts.
“Also personal hygiene is very important and every Papua New Guinean must improve the way we care for ourselves. Stop buai chewing and selling. It is one of the easiest ways the virus spreads.
“We must keep washing hands regularly especially after using toilets. Stop shaking hands. We must use whatever access we have to water to have regular showers or wash at least twice daily. If you don’t have a shower, use the river.”
He said while everyone needed the Government to be clear on measures to prevent the spread, and what is planned to deliver healthcare and support to communities, “I also call on everyone to draw on our traditional knowledge and experience to protect our people.”

Namah volunteers to head new coronavirus taskforce

By Aileen Kwaragu

OPPOSITION Leader Belden Namah is offering himself to the Government to be the chairman of the coronavirus pandemic taskforce.
Namah said he believed he could provide the “wartime leadership” at a time the country was facing a war against the coronavirus pandemic.
Namah said he had dealt with crisis situations before.
“I know the people of our country. I have dealt with crisis situations before and I have the capability to address a crisis situation like this,” he said.
“PM Marape has said the government and the opposition must work together in the common interest of the country. So I am taking a stand to be the chairman.
“To date I have not heard of any concrete decision by the Government. This prompted me to make this offer.
“If appointed, I will begin with a massive public awareness campaign. Then I will get doctors and medical professionals in each province on standby to handle any testing and or treatment of positive cases.
“I will then recall Parliament and announce a state of emergency followed by a supplementary budget in which I will announce a K2 billion stimulus package to address the socioeconomic effects of the virus.”

Safety measures for jails: Pokanis

By JIMMY KALEBE
PRISON authorities will restrict activities in its facilities nationwide to protect the lives of inmates and officers looking after them.
Correctional Services Commissioner Steven Pokanis said they were part of the safety measures in response to the coronavirus.
“This means all work outside the correctional institutions will be suspended indefinitely to avoid physical contacts and to (ensure) safety,” Pokanis said.
He said the inmates, officers and their families must not be exposed to health and safety risks.

“They can concentrate on taking care of themselves through managing personal hygiene in the institution.”
The Correctional Services will engage health officers in the provinces to assist in educating prisoners and prison officers on preventive actions.
Pokanis said at a time when the country and the rest of the world were on high alert for the coronavirus, the CS was focusing on preventive measures.
Correctional Services Minister Chris Nangoi issued a list of preventive measures last Friday.
“As a member of the law and justice sector, the position CS takes will be in coordination with police and the courts,” Pokanis said.
All visits to prisons will be suspended indefinitely in particular from church leaders, family members and friends.
“They will be affected when visits and church services are suspended,” he said.