[PDFlist] [Pacificcbidnetwork] Covid-19 Makes Headlines around the Pacific as of 10am today - 16 March, 2020

Mon Mar 16 16:41:10 MDT 2020

Stay safe and thanks for shareing

From: Pacificcbidnetwork
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Audrey Taofi
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Subject: Re: [Pacificcbidnetwork] Covid-19 Makes Headlines around the
Pacific as of 10am today - 16 March, 2020

Thank Solo for the update. Really appreciated 

Faafetai and stay safe guys. 

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Soloveni Vitoso
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Subject: [Pacificcbidnetwork] Covid-19 Makes Headlines around the Pacific as
of 10am today - 16 March, 2020

Pacific News as of 10am this morning, 16, March, 2020;

1. GUAM --- Guam has three confirmed cases of Covid-19
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2. CNMI --- Torres announces CNMI government shutdown
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3. SAMOA --- Entry requirements tightened as Samoa Government
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3>   ups risk
4. FIJI --- COVID-19: Fiji bans cruise ships from today
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5. UN--- New WHO fund, UN Chief Guterres calls for
<file:///C:\Users\soloveniv\Desktop\PACNEWS%20ONE,%2016%20MARCH%202020.doc#i
5> ‘prudence, not panic’
6. A/SAMOA --- Covid-19: American Samoa governor self-isolates as a
precaution
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6> 
7. SOL --- Still no confirmed Covid-19 case in Solomon Islands
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7> 
8. PNG --- PNG's preparedness on COVID 19 step up
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8> 
9. NZ --- Jacinda Ardern's plan to protect Pacific Islands from COVID-19
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9> 
10. AUST --- Coronavirus: People not complying with new Australian
self-isolation rules could face fines
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10> 
11. Coronavirus: Airlines face meltdown as global travel bans multiply
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13> 

GUAM - HEALTH: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES

Guam has three confirmed cases of Covid-19

HAGATNA, 16 MARCH 2020 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES)---Guam has three confirmed
cases of Covid-19 infection as of Sunday, Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero
said, warning that more cases are anticipated. 

The first two patients, who are related, traveled to the Philippines and
came back to Guam on a United Airlines flight on 02 March, while the third
patient has no known travel history, with a family member who recently
traveled to Japan, the governor said. They were tested on Saturday and the
results came back on Sunday. The three are currently in isolation at the
Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH),'s Skilled Nursing Unit in Barrigada Heights,
the designated isolation facility for Covid-19. 

Leon Guerrero said she is confident GMH is capable of handling the
situation. 

Guerrero said the Department of Public Health and Social Service, the Guam
Homeland Security and Guam Customs and Quarantine have begun investigating
and tracing passengers who were on the same fight and searching for people
who may have been in contact with the infected patients. 

“If you were on this flight and have flu-like symptoms, stay home and
contact your doctors,” the governor said at a hastily-called press
conference at the GHS office. “This is what we have prepared for. While we
must expect more cases, everything that can be done is being done.” 

While Guam does not have the authority to impose a travel ban, the governor
urged residents to avoid travel to the Philippines and other affected areas.

“If you travel to Manila, I urge you to self-quarantine for no less than 14
days,” Guerrero said. 

The governor also mandates the cancellations of community events and social
gatherings with more than 100 people. 

Guerrero is scheduled to meet with public and private school administrators
on Monday to discuss how to proceed. “The community will be updated if there
is a change in guidance,” JIC said. 

The three confirmed cases were among the five samples tested at the Guam
Public Health Laboratory in Tamuning tested on Sunday. Two met the Persons
Under Investigation  criteria and three were Surveillance Cases. Three
tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, according to
a press release from Joint Information Center. 

A total of 14 tests have been performed at the Tamuning last since 12 March.
Eleven patients were tested negative for the virus. 

“DPHSS, along with the Guam Memorial Hospital, is working as rapidly as
possible to identify close contacts of the cases. Close contacts may include
family members and co-workers who will be quarantined and actively monitored
by Public Health for 14 days after their last contact with the case. DPHSS
will release additional information as it becomes available,” homeland
security officials said in a release. 

Due to professional development, there are no classes for all Guam
Department of Education schools on Monday. 

The governor also mandates the cancellations of community events and social
gatherings with more than 100 people.  During her special address on
Saturday, the governor ordered the closure of public senior centers by close
of business Wednesday, noting that the elderly are most susceptible to the
viral infection. 

“We have been preparing for this and we are ready to respond. Let’s not
surrender to fear and panic. Stay calm, stay informed, and do your part to
protect yourself and others as we address this public health issue
together,” Guerrero said. 

“We have been preparing for this and we are ready to respond. Let’s not
surrender to fear and panic. Stay calm, stay informed, and do your part to
protect yourself and others as we address this public health issue
together,” Guerrero said

CNMI - HEALTH: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES

Torres announces CNMI government shutdown

SAIPAN, 16 MARCH 2020 (PACIFIC ISLANND TIMES)---CNMI Governor Ralph Torres
on Sunday announced a temporary shutdown  of  the government amid the
unabated threat of Covid-19 pandemic, which has hit Guam. 

“All non-essential employees of the Commonwealth’s departments and agencies
are asked to stay home until further notice. We will provide additional
updates on the government tomorrow. Please stay tuned to media partners and
your department and agency heads for updates,” Torres said. 

Guam Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero on Sunday disclosed that three people
have tested positive for Covid-19, the first cases in the region. 

“Now, we understand that there are questions and concerns about banning
United flights from Guam to Saipan,” Torre said. “As I have stated in
February, I have no authority as Governor to stop the flights from Guam, nor
do I have the authority to stop any flights to the CNMI for that matter.” 

Any decision on banning flights within in U.S. jurisdictions is under the
Federal Aviation Administration’s purview 

“Just like we did in January with the China flights, I will be directing the
Commonwealth Ports Authority to consult with the FAA on the Guam United
flights, and we will notify you once we receive an update,” Torres said. 

Torres said he will meet with Commonwealth Heath Center CEO Esther Muna and
the CNMI’s Covod-9 Task Force on Monday to push forward the next steps of
the pandemic plan. 

“As COVID-19 moves around the world and gets closer to our beautiful shores,
your government is doing everything it can to contain this virus by working
with the White House, federal partners, and global health officials,” Torres
said. 

“We will be asking individuals, regardless of travel history, who were
off-island for work or travel to self-quarantine themselves for at least 14
days. We will be working with department heads and private sector partners
in implementing this immediately.” 

The governor said the CNMI government will begin implementing social
distancing protocols within the community. “Our manamko and our loved ones
with preexisting illnesses are the most vulnerable to COVID-19, and we will
prioritize their safety. We ask that our family and friends, who are in this
group to stay home,” he said. “If you feel sick, please stay home and
contact your doctor or our hospital. We will formalise these protocols
tomorrow. 

The Marianas Visitors Authority Board of Directors has officially postponed
the Tagaman triathlon this Saturday, while the Public School System will be
suspending classes from Monday to Wednesday, which is their next Board of
Education meeting. “From there, they will then make a board decision on
class schedules moving forward,” 

The Northern Marianas College is suspending all face-to-face classes through
17 March, 2020. Transition of a majority of face-to-face courses to online
platforms will occur on Wednesday 18 March, 2020 while the remaining classes
will transition by 23 March. A complete schedule will be provided tomorrow.
NMC classes which are conducted entirely online will continue as scheduled. 

"Let me be clear," Torres said. "We know this is getting serious now more
than ever. As Governor, I will continue to do everything I can, beside the
good leaders in our islands, to protect you and your families. We were the
first state or territory in the country to implement surveillance measures
and health screening of all inbound passengers." 

He noted that information will continue to change, and urged te community to
get their information from CHCC, the World Health Organisation (WHO), or the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

"As a strong island community, we have remained resilient in the face of the
worst storms and economic downturns, and we emerged stronger because we
chose to work together. When it comes to this, we have no time for politics
or grandstanding. My administration and I will work with our health experts.
Now is the time for vigilance, not fear or panic. Let’s work together to
stay informed and help each other out," Torres said

SAMOA - HEALTH: SAMOA OBSERVER

Entry requirements tightened as Samoa Government  ups risk

APIA, 16 MARCH 2020 (SAMOA OBSERVER)---The Government is ramping up its
monitoring of all points of entry into Samoa with the addition of more
requirements for travellers in a bid to keep coronavirus (COVID-19) at bay. 

The Ministry of Health (MOH), in a travel advisory issued late Saturday,
said due to the spread of the COVID-19 and the recent declaration by the
World Health Organisation (WHO) of a global pandemic, they will now have to
scale up their efforts as the risks to Samoa is now “very high”. 

As part of the new measures, effective immediately all travellers (including
returning residents) to Samoa are required to undergo medical examination by
a registered medical practitioner, within three days before arriving in
Samoa. 

A medical clearance report is now mandatory for check-in before a passing
pass is issued. 

Airline and sea vessel crew are also required to get renewed medical reports
14 days after their last medical check.  

Samoan passport holders who are permanent residents of American Samoa are
also required to undergo medical examination within three days before
entering Samoa, with a physician and the American Samoa Director of Public
Health, Motusa Tuileama Nua to countersign the medical report.   

Samoan nationals and permanent residents returning to American Samoa are now
required to undergo medical examination within three days before entering
with proof of the MMR/MR vaccination. 

“In the event your travel is less than 3 days; medical examination issued in
Samoa will suffice for your return.” 

For countries that have already had reported cases including deaths from
COVID-19, travellers from the 33 nations will now have to provide proof of
coronavirus test results done within five days, states the latest MOH travel
advisory. 

According to the MOH, all travellers who test positive to COVID-19 will now
be denied entry into Samoa, and all travellers originating from the 33
states are now required to self quarantine themselves for 14 days at the
country of last port, and should have in their possession a medical
clearance certificate within three days of arriving in Samoa.  

“In the event you arrive and have not satisfied the above three
requirements, you will be returned to the country of last port, before
arrival into Samoa,” states the MOH travel advisory. 

Charter flights as well as cruise ships who plan to visit Samoa will be
refused entry until further notice and all sea port entries will be screened
at the quarantine buoy before the vessel is allowed to dock.  

The 33 countries that travellers originate from or transit through include:
China; Hong Kong; Macau; Japan; Singapore; Thailand; South Korea; Italy;
Iran; Kuwait; Taiwan; Germany; Spain; France; Bahrain; Australia; Belgium;
Canada; Malaysia; Denmark; Chechia Republic; Greece; Iceland; Luxembourg;
Netherlands; Norway; Qatar; Sweden; Switzerland; United States of America;
United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; and Australia.

FIJI - HEALTH: FIJI TIMES

COVID-19: Fiji bans cruise ships from today

SUVA, 16 MARCH 2020 (FIJI TIMES)---No cruise ships will be allowed entry
into Fiji from today – Monday,16  March , 2020. 

Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama made the announcement in a
statement, after neighbouring countries Australia and New Zealand announced
the ban on cruise liners from also entering their ports to combat the
COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Also from tomorrow (Monday), international events will not be allowed in
Fiji and local events will be closed to all guests coming in from overseas,”
Bainimarama said. 

Ministers, civil servants, permanent secretaries and staff of statutory
bodies have also been restricted from travelling overseas, barring
exceptionally-critical circumstances. 

“We also highly discourage all Fijians from travelling overseas. If you do
choose to travel anywhere outside of Fiji, you may be required to
self-isolate for 14 days upon your return to Fiji, even if you are not
displaying symptoms of COVID-19. This, of course, is already mandated for
Fijians arriving home from nations on our restricted travel list.” 

Bainimarama said those measures would all be subject to review as the global
situation evolved. 

“We already have secure isolation facilities up and running throughout Fiji,
with the Central Division being served by Navua Hospital, the Western
Division served by the Nadi Hospital, and Labasa Hospital serving the
Northern Division. As we monitor the situation, more isolation unitswill be
established as the need arises in accordance with our expansion plan. 

“As of the 15th of March, at 5pm, Fiji remains coronavirus – free –– and it
is on that basis that we’ve developed these measures. If and when we see our
first case, far more stringent measures will immediately come into effect to
aggressively prevent the spread of the disease, as other nations have done,
such as bans on local gatherings. 

While the steps we can take as individuals are critical, to be effective,
the preparations for COVID-19 must be society-wide, said Bainimarama. 

“We need everyone aware of the risks and actively participating in our
nationwide response. 

“Because the sobering reality is that, while we have yet to see a case in
our country, our population is already vulnerable to coronavirus. Those with
preexisting conditions and NCDs –– like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer
–– are at a higher risk of death by COVID-19. 

“So, I encourage all Fijians to use this moment to make lasting lifestyle
changes to improve your health –– by doing so,you are guarding yourself and
those you love from communicable viruses, like COVID-19, and non-
communicable disease alike. 

“To maximise our larger prevention and containment efforts, we’ll continue
to work closely with our hotel and tourism partners to help identify,
isolate and treat any visitors who may be experiencing symptoms of the
virus. 

“With our flows of tourism under close supervision, we will continue
supporting the tens of thousands of Fijians 

families who depend on the tourism sector for their livelihoods. 

“As we work hand-in-hand with our tourism operators and other business
leaders to combat the coronavirus, we heartheir very serious worries about
the impact the situation will have on their business. As the outbreak
worsens and travel restrictions heighten, people are travelling less. Supply
chains as well are seeing major disruptions. As aresult, many nations of all
sizes will likely see their economies contract. 

“This is not a time for panic, but a time for prudence. We’ve already made a
number of critical un-budgeted expenditures to respond to the COVID-19
pandemic. But it’s clear we need to reassess our spending priorities for the
remainder of the financial year. 

“The Attorney-General and Minister for Economy will announce a COVID-19
Response Budget on the 26th of 

March – where we’ll lay out our financial game plan for protecting our
people and supporting Fijian businesses and livelihoods through what will
undoubtedly be a difficult period. Ahead of that response budget, he’ll be
sitting down with the FNPF and banks to discuss ways to mitigate the impact
the COVID-19 global economic slowdown is having – and will continue to have
– on individual Fijian workers and their families,” said Bainimarama.

UN- HEALTH: UN NEWS CENTRE

New WHO fund, UN Chief Guterres calls for ‘prudence, not panic’

NEW YORK, 16 MARCH 2020 (UN NEWS CENTRE)---UN chief António Guterres has
assured the world that the COVID-19 virus will peak, and the global economy
will recover but, until then, “we must act together to slow the spread of
the virus and look after each other”. 

In the face of a health crisis unlike any other in our lifetimes, said the
Secretary-General, it is natural to feel anxious, worried and confused. The
most vulnerable in society are also the most affected, and the social and
economic fallout will affect most of us for months to come. 

However, “this is a time for prudence, not panic. Science, not stigma.
Facts, not fear”, counselled Guterres. 

The pandemic can still be controlled, preventing infections and saving
lives, but it will take “unprecedented personal, national and international
action”, he added. 

This will involve putting effective containment strategies into place;
activating and enhancing emergency response systems; dramatically increasing
testing capacity and care for patients; readying hospitals, and developing
life-saving medical interventions. 

The crisis, said Guterres, has shown the importance of international
cooperation, with governments working together to revitalise economies,
expand public investment and ensure support for the most vulnerable. 

And in Geneva, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the launch on
Friday of a first-of-its-kind COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, to make it
easier for private individuals, corporations and institutions anywhere in
the world to come together to directly contribute to fighting the pandemic. 

“We are at a critical point in the global response to COVID-19. We need
everyone to get involved in this massive effort to keep the world safe”,
said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. 

Funds will go towards supporting actions outlined in the WHO’s COVID-19
Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, to enable all countries –
particularly those most vulnerable and at-risk, and with the weakest health
systems – to prepare for and respond to the crisis. 

These actions include the rapid detection of cases, stopping the
transmission of the virus, and caring for those affected. 

The funds will also go towards financing the purchase of protective
equipment for frontline health workers; equipping diagnostic laboratories;
improving surveillance and data collection; and other critical steps that
need to be taken. 

“We can’t ignore the fact that this is a truly global problem, one that
requires truly global solutions”, said Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO
of the UN Foundation, which created the fund, along with the Swiss
Philanthropy Foundation and WHO. 

“The case for global cooperation could not be clearer”, she continued.
“Communities everywhere are affected, and people want to contribute. This
new fund will create space for people everywhere, together, to fight this
virus”. 

Tedros added that “a lot of people and institutions have been saying they
want to contribute to the fight against the novel coronavirus. Now they
can”. 

Support from the private sector has already been confirmed, with major
companies such as Google and Facebook instituting a matched-funding scheme
for contributions raised through their platforms.  

Individual donors can also make online contributions to the Fund by visiting
the website www.COVID19ResponseFund.org
<http://www.covid19responsefund.org/>  , and the UN Foundation can receive
donations via cheque or wire from around the world via the email address,
COVID19Fund at unfoundation.org <mailto:COVID19Fund at unfoundation.org> .  

Any country that thinks ‘that won’t happen to us’ is making a deadly
mistake. It can happen to any country Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,
Director-General, WHO  

Addressing the media on Friday, Tedros declared that Europe is now the
epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic, with more cases and deaths there than in
the rest of the world combined, excepting China, and more cases are now
being reported every day than at the height of the initial Chinese outbreak.

Tedros announced that he was encouraged by the fact that many countries are
now acting on the recommendations made in the WHO Strategic Preparedness and
Response Plan, which provides evidence-based guidance that, said the WHO
chief, every country can use. 

“Our message to countries continues to be: you must take a comprehensive
approach”, he added, noting that most countries now have a national plan,
are taking a “multi-sectoral approach” (i.e. involving all areas of
government, rather than simply health ministries), and have laboratory
testing capacity. 

“Any country that looks at the experience of other countries with large
epidemics and thinks ‘that won’t happen to us’ is making a deadly mistake”,
he warned. “It can happen to any country”. 

Tedros looked to the experiences of China, South Korea and Singapore as
examples of countries which have successfully prevented infections and saved
lives, by putting in place measures such as aggressive testing and contact
tracing, social distancing, and community mobilization.  

The WHO continues to support efforts to prepare and respond, shipping
supplies of personal protective equipment to a further 28 countries, in
addition to the 56 countries who are already receiving such equipment. 

On Friday, UN health chief Tedros outlined four recommendations for
governments, businesses and individuals. 

*Prepare and be ready. Know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and how to
protect yourself and others. Ensure that health facilities can cope, and
that health workers know how to provide care. 

*Detect, protect and treat. Find, isolate, test and treat every case, to
break the chain of transmissions. 

*Reduce transmission. Isolate the sick and quarantine their contacts.
Increase social distancing by, for example, cancelling sporting events and
other large gatherings. 

*Innovate and learn. This is a new virus and a new situation, and all
countries have lessons to share. 

Meanwhile, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and refugee agency (UNHCR) have
issued reminders of the importance of ensuring that the world’s most
vulnerable people are not forgotten during this health crisis. 

UNICEF noted that, whilst handwashing with soap is critical to stem the
spread, millions of people do not have even basic facilities at home. This
amounts to some 3 billion people in the least developed countries.
Furthermore, nearly half of all schools do not have a handwashing facility
with soap and water, whilst a third have no place for children to wash their
hands at all. 

A US$33 million appeal to support refugees was launched by UNHCR on Friday.
Elderly members of the world’s forcibly displaced population are at
particular risk, the agency warned. 

The urgently needed funds will boost the preparedness, prevention and
response activities to address the immediate public health needs of
refugees, that have been prompted by COVID-19. 

UNHCR’s response to the virus builds on its previous experience in dealing
with the SARS, Ebola, and influenza outbreaks. These preparedness measures
protect refugees before, during and after global health emergencies.

A/SAMOA - HEALTH: RNZ PACIFIC

Covid-19: American Samoa governor self-isolates as a precaution

PAGOPAGO,16 MARCH 2020 (RNZ PACIFIC)---American Samoa's governor has been
placed in quarantine after his trip to the US mainland. 

Lolo Matalasi Moliga travelled to Washington State and Hawaii, two places
with confirmed outbreaks of the Covid-19 coronavirus. 

Seattle, where Lolo was for a medical appointment, is where the largest
number of coronavirus deaths in the United States have occured. 

The governor said he had medical checkups in both Seattle and Honolulu, but
is self-quarantining at Government House in Pago Pago as a precaution. 

He will communicate with his Cabinet by phone.

SOL - HEALTH: SOLOMON STAR

Still no confirmed Covid-19 case in Solomon Islands

HONIARA,16 MARCH 2020 (SOLOMON STAR)---There is still no confirmed case of
Coronavirus for the Solomon Islands. 

Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS)
Pauline McNeil revealed this during a talkback show in Honiara. 

“There is still no confirmed case of COVID-19 as yet from the two suspected
cases. 

“The country doesn’t have any confirmed case of COVID-19 but we have two
suspected cases and that doesn’t mean that they are confirmed as yet until
we have tests returned. 

“The samples have been sent to Melbourne, Australia so the Ministry is
waiting for the return of the two samples then we will know of the results
and then we can say there is a confirmed case in the country. 

“For now it’s only suspected cases,” said,”McNeil. 

For the two suspected cases,  one sample was sent on Friday and the other
one was sent Sunday to Melbourne Australia for testing. 

Laboratory Director of the National Referral hospital Dr. Alfred Dofai said
that the results for the suspected cases that were sent overseas for testing
usually takes more than 72hrs before the results are sent back to the
country. 

“We are still following up on the results for the two suspected cases,” he
said. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is reassuring
the public that quarantine is a standard measure or procedure to protect and
prevent the spread of any disease. 

As a response to the government’s travelling advisory, people travelling
through affected countries must be quarantined for at least 14 days, the
ministry said in a statement. 

“People quarantined are those who are not sick but have travelled through
affected countries.  

“People are placed in quarantine not because they are suspected to have
COVID-19, but because there is a risk that they may have come in contact
with the virus. The number of those quarantined can be changed at the end of
a 14 day quarantine period of monitoring and clinical observation.  

“Thus, there is no fixed or consistent number of people in the Quarantined
facility,” the statement explains. 

On the other hand, people travelling from restricted countries where there
are high levels of COVID-19 infection or are in breach of the Travel
Advisory are immediately refused entry to the Solomon Islands. 

Permanent Secretary for Health, Mrs Pauline McNeil acknowledged the high
level of public anxiety about the threat of COVID-19 but pointed out that
quarantine measures are there to protect the community. 

McNeil also sought to reassure the public that there is no evidence to
suggest that surrounding communities can be exposed to the virus. COVID-19
spreads through close personal contact with a sick person. 

It is understandable that people are feeling scared and anxious at this
time, but misinformation and rumors can only make things worse,McNeil said.
“In fact, rumors and misinformation can be as harmful as the virus itself
because they can lead people to make poor choices that affect their health
and that of others, and increases challenges health workers are facing
daily. 

“Now is the time for us to come together as a community: to replace fear and
speculation with facts, to get informed, and to be prepared. We are not
powerless against COVID-19. There are actions we can take to protect
ourselves. 

“We know that the virus spreads from person to person through droplets when
a person coughs, sneezes or breathes out. So, even before COVID-19 is in our
communities, we should be getting into the habit of washing our hands
several times a day with soap and water; covering our coughs and sneezes
with an elbow, or tissue, and keeping a one-metre distance from others when
we are sick. 

“My Ministry is working to get this information out to the public, through
daily radio programming on SIBC, regular news media updates, information
sessions for the business, education, government and non-government sectors,
churches and the distribution of posters and leaflets to communities.  

“Thanks to the support of B-Mobile and Telekom, we are able to reach people
all over the country with tips on how to protect themselves and others from
COVID-19. If you have access to the internet, visit the Learning about
Coronavirus section on the government portal at www.solomons.gov.sb
<http://www.solomons.gov.sb> .  

“We will be updating the information there regularly as well,” the Permanent
Secretary said.

PNG - HEALTH: NBC NEWS PNG

PNG's preparedness on the COVID 19  step up

PORT MORESBY, 16 MARCH 2020 (NBC NEWS PNG)----Papua New Guinea Prime
Minister James Marape says the country is prepared to quarantine and treat
any one suspected of contracting the virus or if and when it hits the
country. 

Marape said there is no recorded case of the virus yet in the country. 

The Prime Minister said the country has closed or banned the movement of
people along its borders from Wutung to Jayapura and the sea borders between
Bougainville and Solomon Islands. 

“There are only four seaports of entry from Port Moresby, Kokopo, Madang and
Lae. 

“All passengers coming into PNG will be allowed through Jackson's
International airport". 

“The government has set up a quarantine facility at 6mile in Port Moresby to
test and check people suspected of contracting the Coronavirus,” he said. 

The government will continue to support the health department and facilities
to help prevent the virus and treat or contain the virus from spreading if
and when it enters PNG. 

“At the moment PNG is on code Green meaning there is no case of the virus
yet”. 

The government has established strong links and partnership with its
bilateral partners and donor agencies including China and others to address
the Corona Virus. 

Prime Minister Marape said it is not only a health issue but the virus will
have an impact on the economy and businesses as it crosses borders and
affected shipment of goods and services. 

The government has taken on board the issue also as a national security
concern and will involve the Defence Force and other security coordinating
agencies of Government in due course.

NZ - HEALTH: NEWSHUB

Jacinda Ardern's plan to protect Pacific Islands from COVID-19

WELLINGTON, 16 MARCH 2020 (NEWSHUB)---New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda
Ardern has announced tough new border protection policies aimed at saving
our Pacific neighbours from the deadly COVID-19 disease. 

Following her COVID-19 Cabinet committee meeting on Saturday, the Prime
Minister said New Zealand has a responsibility to look after the Pacific
Islands. 

“We take very seriously our duty of care,” she said. 

“As such, strict new border exit measures for people travelling to the
Pacific will be put in place. 

 “"These include: No travel for people who have travelled outside of New
Zealand in the past 14-days. No travel for close or casual contacts of a
confirmed case. No travel for anyone who is symptomatic, and health
assessments, including temperature checks.” 

She also said Cabinet had approved "far-reaching and unprecedented
decisions” to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in New Zealand. 

“Cabinet made far-reaching and unprecedented decisions today because these
are unprecedented circumstances. As of midnight Sunday every person entering
New Zealand, including returning New Zealand citizens and residents, will be
required to enter self-isolation for 14 days - everybody,” she said. 

“The Pacific are exempted from this measure, they are the only ones. Anyone
from this country though will be required to automatically self-isolate
should they exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms on arrival in New Zealand. All of
these restrictions will be reviewed in 16 days' time. 

“This decision will mean New Zealand will have the widest-ranging and
toughest border restrictions of any country in the world. We are also
encouraging New Zealanders to avoid all non-essential travel overseas - this
helps reduce the risk of a New Zealander bringing COVID-19 in.” 

Some have questioned whether Australia was part of the Pacific Islands
exemption. However, Air New Zealand chief revenue officer Cam Wallace has
said the restrictions do apply to our neighbour across the Tasman.

AUST - HEALTH: THE GUARDIAN

Coronavirus: People not complying with new Australian self-isolation rules
could face fines 

SYDNEY,16 MARCH 2020 (THE GUARDIAN)---People in some states could face hefty
fines if they do not comply with new government restrictions aimed at
containing the spread of coronavirus, with Australian prime minister Scott
Morrison announcing strict new requirements for all people arriving in
Australia to self-isolate for 14 days. 

Cruise ship arrivals will also be banned for at least 30 days, Scott
Morrison announced on Sunday, amid escalating efforts to contain the virus. 

The strict measures came as two more deaths in Australia from coronavirus
were confirmed on Sunday evening. 

A 77-year-old woman from Queensland died in New South Wales on Friday
shortly after arriving in Sydney by plane, NSW Health said, while a 90-year
old woman – a resident of Dorothy Henderson Lodge – died on Saturday. 

NSW recorded 22 new cases of Covid-19, taking the total number of cases in
the state to 134 and Victoria recorded eight new cases taking its total to
57. 

Queensland had its highest increase in a 24-hour period with 15 new cases,
bringing the total number for the state to 61. 

Morrison told reporters in Sydney that the first meeting of the national
cabinet on Sunday had agreed to legislate offences for people who breach the
self-isolation rule and escalated advice to others to undertake social
distancing, including refusing handshakes and keeping a distance of 1.5
metres away from people. 

State and territory leaders say there are already existing laws through
which they will enforce the new rules but they were also assessing on Sunday
whether any changes would need to be made. 

Penalties in some states include fines of thousands of dollars. 

The suite of new measures comes after criticism the government has failed to
give clear messages about social distancing. The chief medical officer,
Brendan Murphy, advised as late as Sunday morning that handshakes between
people who have not returned from overseas were still advisable. 

On Friday the Council of Australia Governments decided to advise against
“static, non-essential” mass public gatherings of 500 people or more, to
apply from Monday. 

The advice has been upgraded to a ban although Morrison reiterated on Sunday
that this would not trigger “widescale” closure of schools, shops, airports
and workplaces. 

“We will impose a universal compulsory self-isolation requirement on all
international arrivals to Australia effective from midnight tonight,”
Morrison said. 

“All people coming to Australia will be required, will be required, I
stress, to self-isolate for 14 days. 

“Further, the Australian government will ban cruise ships from foreign ports
from arriving at Australian ports after an initial 30 days and that will go
forward on a rolling basis.” 

Morrison said that – until now – self-isolation had been a “voluntary
arrangement” with “no potential sanction against a person for not following
that requirement”. 

“That will change,” he said, although penalties would be “a matter for the
states and territories”. 

“If your mate has been to Bali and they come back and they turn up at work
and they are sitting next to you, they will be committing an offence.” 

The NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, said on Sunday afternoon that the
state’s Public Health Act had provisions that would enable the government to
enforce the self-isolation requirements. But she said the health minister,
Brad Hazzard, was examining the legislation in case any changes needed to be
made. 

Berejiklian said there had already been one case before Sunday’s
announcement in which someone had not self-isolated and police had become
involved. 

But she said it would be difficult to monitor “every situation” and the
government would be relying on “public goodwill” to ensure the rules were
followed and the government would “prefer people help us by putting
themselves in self-isolation”. 

“If you’re in a workplace and you know someone is coming to work who has
recently been overseas, let us know,” Berejiklian said. 

The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said public health laws
passed in February would be used to enforce the self-isolation rules and
people caught not complying could be fined $13,000(US$8, 013). 

“To date, everyone has done the right thing, we thank them for that,” she
said. 

The Western Australian premier, Mark McGowan, said there would be penalties,
included “severe fines”, for people who breached the self-isolation rules. 

By contrast, Morrison played down the prospect of enforcement of social
distancing. 

“The states and territories 
 are not going to create event police or social
distancing police or things of that nature.” 

Morrison said the government’s national information campaign “is running and
it will be available to all Australians” but claimed that social distancing
was “pretty straightforward”. 

He explained maintaining a distance of 1.5 metres would mean “ensuring that
you refrain from that sort of physical contact, whether it might be a
handshake or something a bit more intimate, unless they’re close family and
friends”. “It’s all commonsense.” 

For the first time, Morrison presented various scenarios for the speed of
the spread of the coronavirus, using them as encouragement to slow the
spread to help free up hospital beds for those who need them. 

“If we continue to manage this but on how the virus impact on Australia, we
will be able to ensure that we can continue to provide the services and
support, particularly to the most vulnerable Australians most at risk from
the coronavirus,” he said. 

Morrison foreshadowed that there “will be further intrusions, further
restrictions on people’s movement and their behaviour” in future in response
to changes in medical advice. 

The first of these will be new protocols for visiting aged care facilities,
he said, with further work to be done to protect remote communities in South
Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. 

The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, has warned that school closures are
regarded as inevitable, prompting many schools and universities to prepare
for shutdowns. 

But Morrison said there were “very good reasons” against moving to
“broadscale closures of schools” at this point. 

Although it may seem counterintuitive, schools should stay open at this time
because taking children out may expose others to risk and would “put at
great risk the availability of critical workers such as nurses, doctors and
others who are essential in the community”, he said. “The states and
territories are not moving in that direction.” 

The issue will be revisited at meetings of the national cabinet on Tuesday
and Friday, although individual schools in Victoria and NSW have been
allowed to close “based on the cases presented there in the circumstances
that exist in those communities”, he said. 

Earlier on Sunday Murphy and the health minister, Greg Hunt, confirmed that
as advice changes, measures might escalate to include general lockdowns. 

“It – it is potential that could be the case,” Murphy told ABC’s Insiders.
“But that may be focal. One of the things we know about outbreaks of
infections is that they can affect one part of a country, not another.” 

Asked if Sydney could be locked down and not the rest of the country, Murphy
continued: “Potentially you could. The Koreans did that for two provinces,
very successfully locked them down. Everything is up for consideration.” 

Labor has criticised the government for the slow pace of rolling out a
national information campaign, and on Sunday the shadow infrastructure
minister, Catherine King, called for further support for the aviation
sector, which missed out on funding in the AUD$1bn(US$616 million) regional
and community fund. 

“While these measures are necessary for public health, the federal
government must urgently address the significant consequences for our
aviation sector,” she said. 

“With conditions changing rapidly and no end in sight, the federal
government must urgently provide all necessary support to ensure Australia
has a vibrant aviation sector once the coronavirus outbreak has passed.”

UK - AIRLINE: THE GUARDIAN
PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 16 Mar 2020

Coronavirus: Airlines face meltdown as global travel bans multiply 

LONDON, 16 MARCH 2020 (THE GUARDIAN)----The international travel industry
faces a widespread shutdown over coronavirus fears after airlines announced
new flight reductions and more countries introduced travel bans and
isolation requirements. 

Travel businesses were hit with multiple doses of bad news on Saturday and
Sunday, with the US expanding its Europe travel ban to include the UK and
Ireland, a number of South American countries bringing in flight
restrictions and Australia joining New Zealand in requiring all people
entering the country to self-isolate for 14 days. 

American Airlines, the second biggest in the world, said on Saturday that it
would start implementing a phased suspension of nearly all long-haul
international flights from Monday, amid reduced demand and travel
restrictions due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. 

The cruise industry also suffered another setback when two ships were placed
in quarantine in Chile after an elderly British man aboard one of them
tested positive for the coronavirus, the health ministry announced on
Saturday. 

The US government said on Saturday that it would “immediately” begin working
on ways to help the coronavirus-hit aviation and cruise industries as they
scramble to stem losses and protect jobs. 

The crisis facing the industry has been accelerated by the latest extension
of the US ban on incoming travel, with US vice-president Mike Pence
announcing at the White House on Saturday that British and Irish travellers
would also be barred from entering the U.S for 30 days. 

At the same press conference, Donald Trump revealed that he had taken a test
for the virus, with the White House later revealing that he had proved
negative. 

In Spain, the wife of prime minister Pedro Sánchez has tested positive as
her husband formally declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus.
Spain is now the fourth-worst affected country in the world after it
recorded more deaths to take the total to 196. Sánchez said the country
would be placed in lockdown for two weeks and ordered people to stay at home
unless they had to buy food or medicine or go to work or hospital. 

The outbreak also worsened in the UK on Saturday with the total of deaths
nearly doubling from 11 to 21 amid continued controversy about whether the
government’s policy aimed at creating “herd immunity” from the disease would
work or not. 

Around the world, varying measures of control continued to be imposed on
populations from the Philippines, where the capital Manila was in the
process of being sealed off, to Argentina where flights from countries badly
hit by the virus have been halted. 

The prospect of a shattering blow for the airline industry was foreshadowed
by the Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, as he announced that all
international passenger arrivals from midnight Sunday would be legally
required to self-isolate for 14 days. 

The flights would dry up “very, very quickly”, he said, and set up serious
concerns for the country’s $3.5bn cruise industry by adding that passenger
ships from foreign ports would be banned for an initial 30 days. 

Even before the new curbs were announced, the chief executive of British
Airways told staff that the airline was in a “fight for survival”. 

US Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said the government would “immediately”
start working with Congress to support the afflicted industries. 

The US restrictions on travel to the UK and Ireland will begin on Monday at
midnight, Pence said. Most non-US citizens who have been in those countries
within the last 14 days will be barred from entering America. The
restrictions do not bar flights to and from the US, and Americans and
permanent residents can still travel. 

As the curbs were revealed, United and Delta airlines said they would start
cutting flights to the UK and Southwest, one of the few US airlines still
flying a full schedule, said it was “seriously considering” cutting flights.

United said it would suspend flights to London from Houston and Denver
starting Monday. The airline expects to fly three daily flights to London
and one daily flight to Dublin through the end of April. 

United said it would give a credit for the value of the ticket for any
customer whose international travel is disrupted by more than six hours
because of schedule changes resulting from government restrictions.
Customers who do not use the credit for 12 months will get a refund. 

Between 16 March and 6 May, American will reduce its international capacity
by 75% on a year-over-year basis, it said in a statement, adding that the
changes will result in the airline parking nearly its entire widebody fleet.
The airline also anticipates its domestic capacity in April will be reduced
by 20% on a year-over-year basis. 

Capacity for the month of May will be reduced by 30%, the company added. 

The U.S Chamber of Commerce on Friday called on the government to “turn next
to a package to assist impacted employers ... No business should go bankrupt
because of a temporary loss in revenue as a result of the coronavirus.” 

In Europe, the situation for the sector was increasingly dire. 

*Norwegian Air, which has built up large debts to establish itself as a
low-cost transatlantic operator, said on Saturday that it had “weeks not
months” to avert collapse. 

*KLM, the Dutch subsidiary of Air France-KLM, plans to slash up to 2,000
jobs, cut working hours by one-third for its entire staff and ask for
government support. 

*German flagship carrier Lufthansa said on Friday it was considering a
request for state aid. 

*In Bolivia, a ban on direct flights to and from Europe went into effect on
Saturday. Travellers from China, South Korea, Italy and Spain are also
banned from entry. 

*Panama banned flights from Asia, one day after blocking flights from
Europe.

For your information.

Thanks,

Solo

Soloveni Vitoso

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Pacific Disability Forum

Ground Floor, Kadavu House, Victoria Parade  |  GPO Box 18458  |  Suva, Fiji

Phone: (+679) 3312008  |  (+679) 3307530

Mobile: (+679) 891 2656 (Vodafone)  |  (+679) 844 6016 (Innk)

Fax: (+679) 3310469

Skype: soloveni.vitoso

Email: infor <mailto:ceo at pacificdisability.org> @pacificdisability.org

Website:  <http://www.pacificdisability.org/> www.pacificdisability.org

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