30 Jun 2020

Amid elections, Bougainville heightens Covid-19 alert

6:17 am on 30 June 2020
Kid on hillside, Bougainville

Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

Bougainville's police chief, Francis Tokura, is pleading with travellers into the region to be mindful of the Covid-19 restrictions in place.

This as two Covid-19 cases were reported within 48 hours of each other in the Papua New Guinea capital Port Moresby last week.

New Dawn FM reported Mr Tokura, who has been overseeing Bougainville's Covid-19 State of Emergency, saying the risk level throughout the country is very high.

He said people must observe social distancing, particularly with the autonomous region heading into an election.

Meanwhile Mr Tokura's assistant, Secretary of Health Clement Totavun, said surveillance was being beefed up at Buka airport to monitor arrivals.

Two weeks ago Bougainville extended its State of Emergency for another two months.