Papua New Guinea's prime minister says all citizens must be vigilant to ward off the threat of Covid-19.
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape at the Pacific Islands Forum Summit in Tuvalu, 2019. Photo: RNZ / Jamie Tahana
Parliament yesterday extended the country's state of emergency, which was set to expire on Monday, for another two months.
James Marape said that in the extended emergency period some of the restrictions on domestic travel would be eased.
Closed international borders, restrictions on public gatherings and isolation practices remain in place among other measures.
Mr Marape said it was vital that PNG took action now while there was a buffer period before potential widespread transmission, as projected in modelling by the World Health Organisation.
"There's an indication, because of the presence of coronavirus in the region, in May and possibly the third-quarter of the year there could be a spike, or a couple of instances of spikes, in corona if we don't continue to have stiff prevention measures put in place right from the start."
With the government pushing the message that the public should practive social distancing, Mr Marape warned against complacency.
"Your freedom remains but for public safety including yourself, the (Emergency) Controller can make intervention at individual or group or provincial levels going into the future," the prime minister said.
He said churches, work places and public gatherings must now readjust to only having a minimal number of people together at one time.
Mr Marape said the government would make further announcements including those regarding safety of children at schools from next week.