The office controlling Papua New Guinea's pandemic response went into lockdown today after
the country's third confirmed covid-19 case was announced.
Papua New Guinea's Police Commissioner David Manning is the Controller of the country's State of Emergency during the covid-19 pandemic. Photo: PNG PM Media
PNG's Emergency Controller, Police Commissioner David Manning, informed staff at the National Operations Centre in Port Moresby that a case of covid-19 had been identified and that the person had worked there.
Mr Manning issued a release saying a frontline responder attached with the Joint Agency Task Force has tested positive for covid-19, and has since been isolated and quarantined.
As a consequence the Operations Centre at Morauta Haus in Waigani has been "locked down" so that testing of all staff can be carried out.
"I call upon the people of NCD, Central and PNG to remain calm. We have identified a positive case," the Emergency Controller said.
He said that contact tracing in relation to the case was underway for all people who have come into contact with the person who tested positive.
"Everyone should continue to practice the safety and health messages that we have been sending out and 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," Mr Manning advised.
The centre is where Mr Manning oversees the operations under PNG's State of Emergency response to the pandemic and to date has given daily updates about the national covid response.