Papua New Guinea police officers and soldiers patrolling Port Moresby to enforce the Covid-19 health measures will wear red armbands to highligh their authority.
Measures, such as the wearing of masks and social distancing, were being emphasised by the PNG government as it opted to not extend a lockdown in the capital.
The two-week lockdown, introduced amid a surge of confirmed cases of the virus in Port Moresby, was lifted today.
Papua New Guinea police. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
Prime Minister James Marape assured the public that the use of soldiers to assist police around the city was not meant to "scare people" but was to manage crowds and ensure order.
Echoing this, Police Minister Bryan Kramer said the government had learnt lessons regarding the interactions between secujrity forces and the public from the first lockdown in March.
He said police would use red armbands to show the public who was authorised to enforce the mandatory wearing of masks.
The newspaper, The National, also reported that public transport drivers and crew would wear masks and limit their passengers to 15 on public motor vehicles.
Kramer said bus stops would be manned by soldiers and police to enforce the rules.
Police Commissioner David Manning said 300 soldiers would be assisting police in the city operation.