Pacific

PNG bans alcohol sales due to violence during lockdown

11:04 am on 11 May 2020

Papua New Guinea has banned the sale of alcohol on weekends because of an increase in violence since lockdown measures were eased.

The Covid-19 emergency controller, police commissioner David Manning, said since several restrictions were eased, there's been an increase in domestic violence, drunken fights and assaults.

Mr Manning said these were the result of binge drinking and he's ordered major supermarkets and wholesalers to restrict the sale of alcohol on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Meanwhile, Mr Manning said security forces continue to crack down along the border with Indonesia, urging people not to go to West Papua or Jayapura.

The coronavirus has killed nearly 1,000 people in Indonesia, with a signficant outbreak in Jayapura, which is close to the PNG border.