The government in the autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville has extended the State of Emergency put in place to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Bougainville Police Commissioner, Francis Tokura Photo: The Bougainvillean
To date, Bougainville had recorded a single case of Covid-19, a returning student whose condition was picked up on arrival.
Restrictions on movement and travel have been in place since April and will be enforced until 17 December.
The SOE controller, Francis Tokura, called on people to continue to maintain social distancing and other preventive measures.
New Dawn FM reported him saying security along Bougainville's maritime borders was to be beefed up and flights into Bougainville would be monitored closely.
But he said schools and public transport could still operate.
The ABG Health Department, working with the Australian Government, had been providing technical and clinical support in readiness for a possible outbreak.