People in Papua New Guinea's East New Britain province are being encouraged to stay home
as much as possible.
The province, which has two of PNG's seven confirmed covid-19 cases, introduced emergency restrictions on travel this month.
While the lockdown throughout East New Britain is mainly being enforced in the heavily populated Gazelle Peninsula, the provincial government wants everyone staying at home except for essential movements.
The controller of the provincial state of emergency, Wilson Matava, made a direct appeal to the public.
"Dispela taim, I appeal for your understanding. We all in East New Britain must know that for us there's two cases already in East New Britain. We appeal to all of the people in the province - not only in Kokopo but in the whole province - we appeal yupla stap lo haus for dispela taim (we appeal for you to stay in your house at this time)," said Wilson Matava.
A team with personnel from Papua New Guinea's Department of Health and other agencies, with support from the WHO and UNICEF, flew to East New Britain, 7 April 2020, following confirmation of a covid--19 case in Kokopo. Photo: St John's Ambulance PNG
