Commissioner David Manning, Controller, by virtue of the powers conferred by Section 9 of the National Pandemic Act 2020 and all other enabling powers, hereby issued the following measures for immediate implementation:
- The measures set out herein apply only to the West New Britain Province.
- A 14-day restriction period will be imposed during which no aircraft, vehicle or vessel is allowed to enter into or out of the province with new passengers except for aircrafts, vehicles or vessels bringing in cargo or goods and personnel engaged in the COVID-19 response.
- A curfew shall be imposed in the province between the hours of 10pm and 5am daily.
- Between the hours of 10pm and 5am, no person shall be allowed outside
of their dwelling places, unless:
a. to seek urgent medical assistance;
b. to seek assistance from police;
c. in case of an emergency (including but not limited to a fire); and
d. an exempted person listed in Schedule 1. - All persons are to adhere to social distancing requirements and safe and
hygiene practices. - All forms of public gatherings are prohibited, except for the main listed
provincial market/s, supermarkets, fuel stations, sea ports, airports, hotels, banks, pharmacies, restaurants, heath care providers and shops licensed to trade which may remain open. - Restaurants may remain open but shall only serve takeaway food and
non-alcoholic beverages for walk-in customers, except for in-house guests where the restaurant is a part of the hotel or lodge, which in this instance food can be served with alcohol. - All sporting and or cultural activities shall not occur.
- Normal religious activities may continue but must adhere to the following:
a. social distancing of at least 1.5 meters between each person;
b. all persons on entry into a place of worship must wash their hands with soap or use hand sanitizer; and
c. all persons at places of worship must follow all other hygiene
standards recommended by the Controller. - The following religious gatherings shall not occur:
a. Provincial church gathering;
b. National church gatherings;
c. Crusades;
d. Conventions; and
e. Provincial or national outreach programs. - Venues and parts of venues within the province must immediately restrict trading hours and strictly observe COVID-19 protocols such as wearing of face masks and hand sanitizing for the duration of the curfew, if they:
a. Provide gambling activities and services; and
b. Provide night club and pub activities and services. - All public transport vehicles including vessels operating within the province may continue to operate during the lockdown period only if:
a. All passengers and crew wear masks at all times; and
b. All passengers including crew strictly adhere to hand washing or sanitizing and other hygiene and COVID-19 health protocols. - All previous measures continue to apply unless provided for specifically in this new measure.
- Non-compliance of this measure shall be reported to an authorized officer or the provincial police commander.
- These measures come into effect at 12 am of January 1, 2021 and will remain in force until 12 am of January 22, 2021, or as varied or revoked by the Controller.
