Six local fishermen detained after coming in contact with relatives
SIX local fishermen have been detained and placed in the quarantine center in the Shortlands after coming in direct contact with their traditional relatives from Bougainville this week.
As a result, security has been beefed up at the border.
An initial report said the encounter happened during a fishing trip to an atoll near the Fauru group in Shortlands.
The incident was reported to authorities in Gizo and Honiara.
In response, a joint meeting was held this week between the Provincial Health Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOC) and Provincial Emergency Oversight Committee (PEOC).
The meeting has endorsed for a team from Gizo to be deployed to the border without delay to carry out a detailed assessment and contact tracing.
Therefore, a team from Gizo will be dispatched to the western border today.
Health personnel will assess the welfare of the six suspects who are now under custody at the Nila Quarantine centre.
They will be undergoing 14 days mandatory quarantine period.
Police at the border arrested the six fishermen reports
obtained from Samanago village said.
It was revealed the fishermen have come in direct contact with their traditional relatives from Bougainville during the fishing trip.
The western border remains close in light of the current State of Public Emergency (SOPE).
The team from Gizo is expected to travel to the border on a police fast craft.
However, the current weather pattern will determine their departure.
If the weather permits, they will leave today, otherwise, it would be delayed.
Upon arrival, a medical team is expected to carry out further contract tracing.
Work on contact tracing is now happening at Samanago village where the six men are believed to have come from.
With the rising number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bougainvillea, the Emergency Oversight Committee told the paper that it is a concern with the risk of COVID transmission at the border.
The committee said the situation can get worse if people no longer listen to advice or fail to comply with rules exercised under the State of Emergency (SOE) that is still remain in force.
“Everyone can be a victim just for the attitude of a few unruly ones.”
Prime Minister (PM) Manasseh Sogavare on Tuesday said the western common border now poses a high risk of COVID-19 transmission.
He said from 26 to 28 February 2021, 88 new cases were reported in PNG, an average of 22 cases per day.
He said as of Monday this week, the reported cases of COVID-19 in Bougainville have reached 26.
As a result of the imminent threat, PM Sogavare has issued an order to further beef up surveillance at the western border.
The Prime Minister added that visitors from across the border in Bougainville are not allowed to enter or visit any village and community.
Police in response are also stepping up its operation by supplying more officers and resources to the operation at the border.
By ULUTAH GINA
GIZO NEWS BUREAU
