PNG Prime Minister James Marape this afternoon announced that the National Executive Council has approved for the recalling of Parliament on the 02nd of April.

He says this is to comply with the requirement of the National Constitution where Parliament is to convene immediately or at any time before the expiry of the national emergency.

The Papua New Guinea has turned away a Qantas passenger plane bound for Port Moresby mid-air yesterday and instructed the pilot to return back to Brisbane, Australia.

This happened as the country is undertaking measures to protect its borders, by restricting international travel among others, with a 14 -day State of Emergency which began yesterday - in light of its first COVID-19 or Coronavirus confirm case.

The Supreme Court will hear the application to stay the issue of writs for the Bougainville general election this Thursday.

The application was filed by Bougainville President, John Momis, and the Bougainville Executive Council.

The three men bench of Deputy Chief Justice Ambeng Kandakasi, Justice Nicholas Kirriwom and Justice David Cannings sat today at the Waigani court house to hear the stay application.

​ONLY POSITIVE PERSON FLOWN OUT BUT PNG WILL NOT LAX PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Papua New Guineans should not let their guard relaxed now that the ONLY positive person has been evacuated from the country since yesterday.

Police Minister Bryan Kramer said PNG will remain on high alert and preparedness heightens with the State of Emergency takes effect today.

When asked if PNG is free from the virus, Minister Kramer says, although the positive person has been repatriated, PNG preventive measures will not be relaxed.

​STATE ENTITIES MUST MAINTAIN RELIABLE SERVICES TO PEOPLE AMIDST COVID 19 STATE OF EMERGENCY LOCK-DOWN

The Ombudsman Commission is urging all essential State Entities to maintain a reliable service to the people of Papua New Guinea during these 14 day State of Emergency Period to contain any possible spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Port Moresby Governor assures the residents of the city  that shops won't be shut down and there is no need to panic. He posted the following statement via socila media. 

NO NEED TO PANIC OVER PERCEIVED CLOSURE OF SHOPS AND MARKETS! WE WON’T HAVE A SHORTAGE OF FOOD SUPPLY

I am attending a joint emergency NEC and Governors' meeting and it has been resolved that:

1. Shops won’t be close as of tomorrow.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says the government is in discussion with their Australian counterpart to have the first COVID-19 positive case patient for PNG evacuated to Australia.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister says all contacts made by COVID-19 patient will be tested.

Its has now been confirmed that the probable case of the person of interest has now turned out positive to COVID-19 CORONA VIRUS making this our first in Papua New Guinea.

The Prime Minister Hon. James Marape announced this in a press conference at Jacksons Airport an hour ago. After going through numerous testing at IMR, results have now confirmed positive.
All person of interest have being isolated and testing have being carried out to determine their C-19 status.

The Health Department is re-running tests on samples taken from a man who travelled into the country last Friday to confirm whether he has the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The samples have been sent to the Medical Research Institute in Goroka.
The second test will confirm the results of the first test.
Health Minister Jelta Wong in a statement today says the 45 year old man arrived in Port Moresby last Friday.

Commissioner Manning prepares Police response for COVID-19
POLICE Commissioner David Manning today set in place plans to prepare a Pandemic Plan for the Constabulary should the world outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) reach Papua New Guinea shores.
“The police force will be at the forefront to combat this disease together with the Department of Health and other line responsible agencies so we have to be prepared,” Commissioner Manning said, adding that he is sending out circular instructions to all commanders to initiate their own local business continuity plans in anticipation of the pandemic reaching PNG.