Papua New Guinea authorities have urged calm from the public amid tighter restrictions on movement in the capital following a confirmed case of covid-19 there.
Hanuabada, Port Moresby. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
The case relates to a person who had been at the National Operations Centre, the control hub for PNG's pandemic response efforts where key officials work on a daily basis.
When the case was announced as covid-19 positive on Thursday, security forces brought the centre into lockdown, as testing of staff and people inside commenced.
The prime minister James Marape is among a number of government ministers who have been tested for Covid-19 and are understood to be isolating themselves.
In a release, Mr Marape confirmed five new cases of Covid-19 in the country, taking the total to seven. He said the case in the capital was a member of the Joint Agency Task Force formed in response to the pandemic.
News of the case in Port Moresby at first sparked confusion, then anger and anxiety, among the public. Many workers have been at the centre during recent weeks and were potentially exposed to the virus, including many of the country's journalists.
PNG prime minister James Marape (centre) announces provisions for the 14-day state of emergency beginning Tuesday 24 March, alongside police commissioner David Manning and health secretary Paison Dakulala. Photo: Supplied
For now, the Joint Taskforce and related agencies overseeing the pandemic response efforts will use an alternative command base in Moresby.
The Emergency Controller, Police Commissioner David Manning, called upon the public in the National Capital District, Central Province and across PNG to remain calm.
"We have identified a positive case. All measures are now being taken to trace all persons who have come into contact with this person," he said in a statement.
While PNG was already in a State of Emergency, the Controller has issued new measures to prevent the spread of covid-19, including a curfew between 8pm and 6am, a ban on all public gatherings and public transport, and a total ban on alcohol sales.
The new orders apply to the whole Central province, covering the National Capital District, as well as Western province which is located on the border with Indonesia, and where three new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed on Thursday.
A number of roadblocks at key routes in and out of the capital have been established in order for police to control traffic, allowing only authorised entry to Moresby.
A police landcruiser patrols the streets of the Papua New Guinea capital Port Moresby. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
Emphasising a need to refrain from public panic, Mr Manning emphasised that people should practice safety and health measures that have been promoted in the public domain over the past month.
"That is to keep safe physical distancing, cough into your elbow, do not touch your face, mouth or eyes and please stay at home. Stay at home if you have no reason to move around."
Meanwhile, the PNG government is looking to increase testing, but Police Minister Bryan Kramer said it was faced with a low stock of testing kits and was ordering more from overseas.
