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Papua New Guinea to shut schools as Covid cases spike
PORT MORESBY, March 18, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Papua New Guinea will shut schools,
limit non-essential movement and make mask-wearing mandatory in a bid to stop
a dangerous surge in Covid-19 cases, the country’s pandemic controller told
AFP on Thursday.
“All the schools in the country will shut down at the end of this week
following a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases in the country,” Pandemic
Controller David Manning said.
The government is expected to announce the measures to the public later on
Thursday.
Papua New Guinea has reported more than 1,000 cases this month — more
than the total for the year before.
Experts fear the real total could be much higher, as testing levels remain
low. The surge threatens to overwhelm the country’s already strained health
sector.
Several doctors told AFP on Thursday that facilities had been forced to
close or reduce capacity because staff had tested positive for the virus.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1136 hrs