Papua New Guinea's prime minister says he and other ministers leading the pandemic response have tested negative for covid-19.
PNG Prime Minister James Marape addresses a business discussion in Port Moresby, January 2020. Photo: PNG PM Media Unit
James Marape's sample was among 121 samples from the national capital taken for testing last Thursday after a public servant working in the National Operations Centre was found to have the virus.
The revelation prompted an immediate lockdown of the centre where officials have been overseeing control of PNG's response to the pandemic.
By the end of the weekend, Mr Marape said all tests had returned negative including those of Emergency Controller David Manning, his deputy acting Health Secretary Dr Paison Dakulala, Health Minister Jelta Wong, and Police Minister Bryan Kramer, key top officials leading the response.
PNG has so far confirmed seven cases of covid-19 in the country, including three in Western Province which is located on the country's border with Indonesia.
The prime minister said that over 300 samples collected on Friday, including results of five members of the family of the first case in the capital, were being sent to Brisbane for testing.
Meanwhile, Mr Marape urged calm from the public amid tighter restrictions on movement in the capital following confirmation of the case last week.