Take virus seriously, Govt told

By HELEN TARAWA
TREASURER Ian Ling-Stuckey says the Government needs to take coronavirus seriously without creating any panic.
While receiving the Northern budget yesterday, he said he was taking it seriously.
He said provinces would have to consider readjusting their budgets.
Ling-Stuckey said the economic committee meeting had identified budget cuts in areas so that funding would be put back into Covid-19 and the frontline in provinces.
“We have reviewed the disbursement of funds so that they fast-track it and once they issue the warrants, within 48 hours the provinces can get the money in the trust account,” he said.
“The attitude in Government is everyone seems lax about it and no one really believes it’s going to come to PNG but once it arrives in Port Moresby, it’s going to go like wildfire in our settlements.
“We need to take a proactive approach, even if we don’t have a single case in the country yet. We need to take action.”
Ling-Stuckey said only 10 citizens were tested using the facilities that have been set up so far in the event that coronavirus cases were reported in the country.
“These things no one is talking about. I thought I should raise Covid-9 with you while you are here today. The effects of the economy as a result of the Covid-19 is going to be huge. I suggest that you start looking at your budget and start readjusting.
“I’ve been seeing what’s happening. We are here with a new attitude, if you have any issues with the release of grants, you can contact our staff,” Ling -Stuckey said.