POLICE Commissioner and Controller of the PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response David Manning has issued a directive to both private and public health facilities not to charge fees when immunising any person against COVID-19.

Mr Manning issued a directive which comes into effect on May 05 that:

1. · No private or public health facility shall charge any fee or require any payment when immunising any person against COVID-19 through the Papua New Guinea Government National Vaccination program;
2. · No person shall be required to pay any fee or payments for a COVID-19 vaccine provided through the Papua New Guinea National Vaccination program;
3. · COVID-19 vaccinations are to be administered by the Provincial Health Authorities and Port Moresby General Hospital;
4. · No health facilities except those administered by an organisation listed in paragraph 3 are permitted to administer COVID-19 vaccinations unless approved in written by the Controller and subject to the conditions imposed by the Controller in the written approval; and
5. · Any failure by an individual or organisation to comply with this direction is an offence under the National Pandemic Act 2020. Non-Compliance with this direction can result in a fine not exceeding K50,000.00 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.

This Direction comes into effect on May 5, 2021 and continues in force during the period of the declaration of a pandemic or as amended in writing by the Controller.