SOE decision questioned as people complain about market restrictions

THE Covid-19 pandemic is an opportune time for the government and the private sector to review policies and the best way forward, says Public Employees Association general secretary Peter Togs.
“Covid-19 is something new to PNG,” he said.
“It is a health crisis, not a law and order issue.
“How is the Government making decisions, and based on whose advice?
“Who is giving them advice to declare a state of emergency?”
Togs said other countries relied on their health experts for advice on what to do because it was a health issue.
“In PNG, doctors say they have not been consulted.
“And politicians, not health experts, are disseminating information.
“What do they know about virus and medicines?” he said.
Togs said many jobs had been lost and people were in desperate situations.
“The informal sector is crying and the local markets in Central are crying because there is no money coming in. All the food supply chains have been cut off because the lockdown is restricting the liberty of people.
Togs said one third of the national budget came from income tax, so the government “is cutting off the hands feeding its coffers”.