PNG SOE Controller Manning releases new emergency direction on hotel quarantine

CONTROLLER of the State of Emergency and Police Commissioner David Manning issued new emergency directions specifically on quarantine protocols for designated hotels.

Mr Manning said all designated hotels and persons are to adhere to the quarantine direction and protocols put in place. The government designated facilities or self-funded facilities are expected to report all breaches of non-compliance of the emergency directions issued.

“The hotels that are no longer designated facilities shall not accept persons requiring to be quarantined. The hotel management should immediately inform any person booked to be quarantined at their hotel that they may no longer quarantine them from June 2 onwards and refer them to the National Operations Centre,” Mr Manning said.

He said Police and members of the Correctional Services as well as hotel security will place a 24 hour surveillance to ensure the integrity of the quarantine protocol is maintained. All persons are not to leave their designated rooms prior to the expiry of their 14-day quarantine period.

Mr Manning said if a person is suspected of having COVID-19 symptoms the hotel must contact the medical services and the COVID-19 team at the National Operations Centre (NOC).

“Non-compliance with the emergency direction by a non-PNG citizen or non-PNG resident may result in an immediate deportation of the offender with the cost to be borne by that person. Legal actions will also be taken against them,” Mr Manning said.

Mr Manning said failure to comply with this direction could result in a fine not exceeding K50,000.00 for individuals and K500,000.00 for corporations.

"Such tough measures need to be taken to defend PNG against the COVID-19 pandemic and I appeal to everyone to cooperate with us to ensure that PNG continues to be COVID-19 free.

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