Soldiers in quarantine after returning home

National

By LULU MARK
TWENTY Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) soldiers who returned from Australia last Friday are under a 14-day quarantine at the Taurama Barracks in Port Moresby, a senior officer says.
PNGDF director of land force preparation Lt-Col Raphael Yapu said the soldiers were participating in the exercise “wantok warrior” in Australia but were recalled home due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Lit-Col Yapu said the soldiers were from the 2nd Battalion based in East Sepik and were in Australia for a week.
“I am here to receive them and assure them that everything is ok. It’s part of the process and it’s a requirement that we have to meet,” he said.
“They will go through the normal Health Department recommended measure for a 14-day quarantine.”
Lit-Col Yapu said the soldiers were cleared at the airport and proceeded straight to the Taurama Barracks to begin the 14-day isolation period.
“So that’s the process we are following and after 14-days isolation they’ll head back to Wewak,” he said.
“It’s also good for the public to know that we are taking heed of the health requirements which is recommended by NDOH.”
Yapu assured the soldiers that nothing was wrong with them and they could inform their families that they would return home after 14 days in Port Moresby.