Stop misinformation: Council

By DALE LUMA
MISINFORMATION on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has had an impact on people adhering to the Niupla Pasin Covid-19 measures, says PNG Manufacturers Council chief executive officer Chey Scovell.
“The ease at which lies and misinformation can be disseminated across WhatsApp, Facebook or email without any consequence has eroded the consistent messages of our leaders, the Government and businesses adhering to our Niupela Pasin Covid-19 safe measures,” he said.
Scovell said the cost to the country and its businesses would be immense, however, it was avoidable.
“If we held people accountable for spreading false information, if all leaders and agents of the State stood behind the measures, we would have minimised the spread and impacts,” he said.
“First, they said it was a fake disease, then they said Papua New Guineans were immune, now they’re saying it’s only getting people that are vaccinated, or that vaccines are evil or ineffective.
“Last year they said vaccinated people would die in two weeks, it became two months, than six months, then 12 months and with this all being rubbish now they are saying three years.
“Given our relatively low state of development, lockdowns are almost impossible to implement properly, so now businesses are ramping up education and support to staff to ensure they are in the best position to minimise the impacts of the Covid-19.”
Scovell said manufacturers, being subjected to strict food safety and good manufacturing processes were fortunate to have a workforce that was exposed to health and safety protocols.
He said the use of personal protective equipment and good hygiene practises had assisted manufacturers in keeping their workforces safe and healthy.

Despite the surge of Covid-19 cases and deaths recently in Port Moresby, many residents
continue to ignore the National Control Centre’s health measures of wearing masks in public
places and practising social distancing. This was the scene at Gordon on Tuesday.
– Nationalpics by KENNEDY BANI

A PMV bus in Port Moresby on Tuesday. The bus crew and passengers
failed to practise social distancing and many were not wearing masks.