Wednesday April 8th 2020

THE CONTROLLER of the COVID-19 State of Emergency and Police Commissioner, David Manning, has issued an emergency order to all public transport operators to stop operating within Papua New Guinea during the Easter long weekend.

This order follows a sequence of emergency orders aimed at heightening the level of safety and security measures around the country following the second confirmed COVID-19 case in the county on Monday 2 , April 2020.

He said, “No public transport is to operate within Papua New Guinea from 11:59pm on Thursday 9 April 2020 until 6am on Tuesday 14, April 2020.

“In our effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 within the province, I have imposed an additional 21 days lockdown in the East New Britain Province.

“This gave effect to immediate roadblocks at Raburua, Kuradui, Uvol, and waterways checkpoints at the Open Bay and Pundi River in the East New Britain Province and other roadblocks at Warasikau and Salamain in the East Sepik Province,” Mr Manning said.

Rrespective Provincial COVID-19 Task Force Teams are maintaining these roadblocks and urged the affected communities to adhere to the safety and security measure that are in place.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is an unfortunate situation that demand us to make unpopular decisions. However, for all our safety I am asking for the full cooperation of the People of East New Britain and the country as we fight this pandemic,” Mr Manning concluded.

 

 For media contact:Chief Superintendent Dominic D. Kakas, BEM, DPS

Team Leader – COVID-19 Media & Public Information

Mobile: 75430557: Email: ddkakas@gmail.com