National Capital District has proposed measures for residents to strictly adhere to at a time Papua New Guinea is in the grip of a worsening COVID-19 crises with sharp increases in positive cases in the country.
In his address to the residents of Port Moresby, NCD Governor Powes Parkop said all residents are to wear masks in public at all times, avoid large gatherings/meetings (minimum 20 persons and below) with social distancing, go for testing if you feel sick or stay home and self isolate.
Governor Parkop called on residents to do all they can to ensure a lock down is not necessary.
“We can avoid closure of schools, health services, markets buai ban, public transport and all other public amenities,”said Parkop.
Governor Parkop said by Friday, all citizens in NCD must start to adhere strictly to the Niupla Pasin calling on residents to to cooperate with NCDC and the government to avoid a lock down at all costs.
“Lock down suggestion is being held back so the public must be strict with the Niupla Pasin.”
Governor Parkop also said those having mild cases might have to stay home and self-isolate with non-clinical measures to treat themselves at home.
Meanwhile, Australia will be beefing up medical support gifting PNG with essential PPE’s including 1 million surgical masks, 200,000 masks, 100,000 gowns, 100,000 goggles, 100,000 pairs of gloves, 100,000 bottles of sanitisers, 20,000 face shields and 200,000 non-invasive ventilators.
Australian PM Scott Morrison announced this week his government will move immediately to gift PNG with 8,000 doses of their COVID-19 vaccine stocks to support the vaccination of frontline health workers in PNG from next week.
PM Morrison said his government will pay for these vaccines to support PNG, their nearest neighbor.