Tuesday 30 June 2020

A COVID-19 Person of Interest (POI) and a female are facing the Waigani Committal Court after their arrest by police for breaching quarantine orders.

Japeth Warus, 27 year old male of mix Morobe and Gulf province and Samantha Karang, 28 year old female of mix Manus and Motuan village of Hanuabada, both employees of Bank South Pacific, were arrested and charged for failing to comply with an Emergency Order issued by the Controller during the State of Emergency.

They were remanded in custody but are now out on a K250 bail each.

Police Commissioner and Controller David Manning said Mr Warus was placed in quarantine at the Holiday Inn Hotel after arriving from Brisbane, Australia, on May 26 2020, and was visited by Ms Karang four days later.

Both Mr Warus and Ms Karang were questioned and later charged for breaching the SOE orders. Police are continuing their investigations.

Mr Manning said the COVID 19 pandemic is a serious matter and police will not hesitate to arrest people who knowingly breach strict quarantine restrictions.

“While citizens are seen not strictly complying to health and medical protocols in the public domain, when persons of interest are instructed to follow quarantine orders they must be followed and the persons of interest must not invite others to join them,” Mr Manning said.

He said the country has seen an increase of positive COVID-19 cases to 11, and vigorous testing by health officials to a wider population may see further increase and therefore the need for people to remain vigilant and follow the health protocols of physical distancing, avoid crowds, coughing into the elbow and washing hands regularly.

Media contact: Chief Superintendent Dominic D. Kakas, BEM, DPS
Team Leader – COVID-19 Media & Public Information Joint Agency Task Force
Mobile: 75430557:Email: ddkakas@gmail.com