Most Covid-19 cases in Papua New Guinea's current outbreak have been asymptomatic, according to authorities.
Hanuabada, the original village of Papua New Guinea's capital city Port Moresby inhabited by the Motuan people; with the CBD in the background. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
More than half of people who have tested positive have not shown any signs and symptoms of coronavirus.
The government said this indicated that many people were carrying the coronavirus and unknowingly spreading it.
The Pandemic Response Controller, David Manning, said over 55 percent of the country's 460 cases had been without symptoms.
"Everyone is at risk of contracting Covid-19 because you cannot tell whether people around you are infected or not until they have been tested,'' Manning said.
The government was continuing to promote a 'new way of living', including the wearing of masks and maintaining 1.5 metres from others.
"Big gatherings such as in stadiums, church conventions, sporting events and nightclubs where large groups of people congregate have proven to be sources of high transmission of Covid-19 in other countries.
"This is why we are telling people to avoid these events or places while the pandemic is still spreading throughout the world,'' Manning said.
PNG Pandemic Response Controller, David Manning Photo: EMTV