Sixty-six breach Covid-19 quarantine protocol, their location unknown

STATE of Emergency Controller David Manning says 66 people who are supposed to be in quarantine cannot be located.
“Not only are they in breach of health and the Covid-19 quarantine protocols and directions but they also place the lives of other Papua New Guineans at risk if they are carrying the Covid-19 virus,” he said. “We are now trying to locate them. They have shown that they have no regard for the safety of other people.
“Once located they will be severely reprimanded.”
Manning said officers of the Correctional Services will join the Covid-19 operations to monitor quarantined persons and ensure they remain in designated quarantine facilities for the entire 14 days.
He issued an Emergency Order to seize the passports of Papua New Guineans who breached quarantine protocols.
The passports will be held for the duration of the state of emergency.
“Upon conviction for non-compliance, an application will be made to the Minister for Immigration for the cancellation of their passports,” Manning said.
There are currently 313 persons in quarantine around the country, including the 66 who cannot be traced.
Manning said while statistics indicated a low community transmission rate, the threat of the Covid-19 was very much real.
It means that strict international travel and border surveillance, particularly along the border with Indonesia, which must be maintained.
Manning said the border was a concern as almost 100 per cent of new Covid-19 cases in Indonesia came from Jayapura.