News and Public Notices

Following the Covid-19 measures that were issued in Bougainville earlier this week, the Regional Pandemic Controller and Health Secretary Clement Totavun has revealed that the Health Response Team (HRT) will be focusing on entry points in the region to control or prevent the delta variant from entering Bougainville.

Speaking at a press conference today, Mr Totavun explained that they will be monitoring the entry points to ensure that those travelling into Bougainville must comply with the measures of getting tested within 48 to 72hours before departing at the point of departure and their results must be negative on the medical clearance forms before boarding the aircraft or vessel to Bougainville.

"These measures basically outlined what we are planning to do and how we will deliver the interventions here on Bougainville in an effort to prevent any surge that might occur here and particularly focusing on preventing delta variant from entering Bougainville," he said.

He appealed to the people to observe and follow the measures because there was limited resource to deal with the surge of delta variant in the country.

"Make sure to get a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) or gene expert test that is negative and the test must be done 48 to 72hours before departing at the point of departure," Totavun explained.

According to Totavun, whilst the Health Response Team is monitoring and managing the entry points and trying to ensure that they prevent the delta variant from entering Bougainville, they are also rolling out vaccination programs in the three regions.

Since the rise in the Delta Variant in other parts of the country, many Bougainvilleans have come forward to get vaccinated.

As of yesterday afternoon, 1648 Bougainvilleans were vaccinated, out of which 1,366 people were vaccinated in North Bougainville, 161 were vaccinated in Central Bougainville and 121 were vaccinated in South Bougainville.

"More than one thousand people have been vaccinated in the last two weeks and this shows that people have heard of Covid19 and what the health team is doing to contain any spread in terms of vaccination," Mr. Totavun said.

Mr Totavun said according to statistics, PNG had vaccinated only 7% of its population compared to Bougainville which had vaccinated only 1% when the vaccines were first introduced, however, he added that the current number of  Bougainvilleans recorded that got vaccinated showed a difference to people's response to be vaccinated.

Totavun explained that Bougainville is currently administering two vaccines in the region namely Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca, adding that these vaccines have been tested and are used all over the world and encouraged people to get vaccinated.

"Vaccination continues as we cover a number of health facilities and about 8 facilities are doing mobile vaccination including teams at Buka Hospital, Arawa Hospital and Buin District Hospital," he said.

He also appealed to the people to come forward and get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families from contracting the corona virus.

"I appeal to all our people - if you care about your people, your family, your community and your country, we would like to appeal to you to get tested for Covid19. Know your status and get vaccinated in order for you to protect yourself, your family and your community thus we all protect our country," Totavun appealed.

Meanwhile , Deputy Pandemic Controller and Assistant Police Commissioner Francis Tokura has supported Mr. Totavun and urged all Bougainvilleans to comply with the orders that have been issued by the Regional Pandemic Controller.

The Public Health measures include social distancing, mandatory body temperature checks, mandatory wearing of face masks and frequent hand washing.

Mr. Tokura explained that the Bougainville Police Service (BPS) will be supporting the health teams to ensure that the public health measures are followed.

This will be done by setting up roadblocks and monitoring the travelling public to see that there is no overloading of passengers, social distancing is adhered to and face masks are worn at all times.

"I have already tasked my police commanders in North, Central and South Bougainville to put up teams together to support the health response teams to enforce these orders," he said.

Commissioner Tokura further clarified that the BPS will only be providing support and it will not intimidate or terrorize the travelling public as some rumours have speculated.

Tokura also called on every business houses in Bougainville to comply with these measures and to provide hand washing facilities within their settings, adding that materials highlighting public health measures will be issued as well.

He said it was very important that every Bougainvillean adhere to the measures issued and also appealed to the public to get vaccinated and protect themselves from the virus.

"Our health is our business and it must start in our homes - to protect your family and home, get vaccinated and follow the measures issued," he said.

The general public and travelling passengers are reminded to wear face masks at all times, practice social distancing, stay home if you have no urgent business to attend to in town and get tested to know your status and get vaccinated.

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