News and Public Notices

Following the declaration of the State of Emergency in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, the Deputy Commissioner of Police and Chief of Bougainville Police Service and Controller of State of Emergency, Francis Tokura, has issued the emergeny orders and instructions as follows: 

1. All activities resolved and prescribed by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea under the National State of Emergency is adopted under Paragraph 3 of the BEC Meeting No.17 and decision no. 37 of 2020 and shall continue to be enforced.
2. The 21 days lock-down declared as of Monday 23 March 2020 according to the Bougainville Constitution to be complied with and enforced during the period of Emergency.
3. All schools prep to upper primary, lower secondary to upper primary, technical schools and private schools etc. are advised to be closed in Bougainville for the 21 days period.
4. Restaurant services under Hotels and Guest Houses shall be allowed to in-house guests only.
5. All bakeries, take-away Fast Food and Restaurant services throughout the region shall be closed for 21 days.
6. All clubs and liquor outlets throughout the region shall be closed for 21 days.
7. All night clubs, gambling centers and other social activity areas shall be closed for 21 days.
8. Any gatherings in public places like Bel Isi Park, Independence Park, Buin Oval, etc. is subject to control by allowing not more than 10 people and ensure one to two meters distance apart within the emergency period.
9. There shall be restrictions at all sea and air ports in Bougainville for International and domestic flights and ships for the 21 days period, unless and only on advice and directions of the Controller of the State of Emergency.
10. All border crossings/movements by ships, boats, canoes and by foot in international borders between PNG/Solomon Islands shall be subject to controls and quarantine checks by the appropriate authorities as authorized under the National Gazette dated 22 March 2020.
11. All cargo ships entering the Region are subject to quarantine checks and clearance. All ships must be anchored outside the main port until cleared.
12. All boats travelling between mainland and Buka, and mainland/Buka and Atolls including Nissan, Pinapel, Fead, Carterets, Mortlock and Tasman shall be monitored, stopped and searched and shall allow not more than five (5) passengers and 1 or 1.5 meters apart in all sitting space.
13. Normal church services shall be allowed with not more than 10 participants with social distance of 1 to 2 meters apart from each other.
14. Big gatherings/crusades or rallies and street preaching activities in public places shall be restricted throughout the 21 days of the State of Emergency.
15. All cultural activities, sports and other recreational activities is banned for the 21 days period.
16. Financial banks within Bougainville shall be operating within normal business hours from 10:00am to 2:00pm (BST) throughout the region for 21 days, with strict controls of allowing 10 people at a time and social distance of 1 to 2 meters apart shall be maintained.
17. All big shopping malls and small outlets shall be opened for business from10:00am to 2:00pm (BST) throughout the region for 21 days, with strict controls of allowing 10 people at a time and social distances of 1 to 2 meters apart shall be maintained.
18. The City Pharmacy shall be opened for business from 10:00am to 2:00pm (BST) within the 21 days with strict controls of allowing 10 people at a time and social distance of 1 to 2 meters apart shall be maintained.
19. All banks, shops, pharmacy and Churches allowed for normal business under strict controls are encouraged to provide Hand Sanitizing Gel (Anti Bacteria) or soap and water for customers within the 21 days period.
20. Main markets as well as road side markets operating within the vicinity of town boundaries in Buka, Arawa and Buin shall be closed for the period of 21 days.
21. All public contacts is prohibited and safe practices of 1 to 2 meters social distance shall be encouraged and enforced throughout the region for 21 days period.
22. Public Transport up to 4 tonne shall carry capacity of less than 15 passengers, small vehicles less than 4 tonne capacity of less than 8 passengers a set per person sitting arrangement. No overloading during the emergency period and on advice by the Controller of State of Emergency in Bougainville.
23. Law Enforcement officers are encouraged to maintain strict code of practice and norms of respects to maintain public trust, peace and good order.
24. Law Enforcement officers shall assist in carrying out instructions in relation to the State of Emergency with respect to rights of citizens.
25. The Orders shall remain in force and enforced throughout the period of 21 days and shall be uplifted on advice of the BEC through the Controller of the State of Emergency.
26. The issue of writs for the Bougainville General Elections shall be deferred indefinitely upon instruction from the Controller of the State of Emergency on advice from the Health Authorities.
27. In all or any circumstances, including emergencies of urgencies, special request shall be made to the Controller of the State of Emergency.
28. Any breaches of the State of Emergency Laws and instructions and directives by the Controller of the State of Emergency as highlighted or any laws within the period of 21 days declared as State of Emergency shall be processed under Emergency Laws by Police and respective authorities.
29. The Orders are effective as of Saturday 28 March 2020. 

 

Francis N. Tokura OBE, QPM, DPS 
Deputy Commissioner of Police 
Chief of Bougainville Police Service 
Controller of State of Emergency - Bougainville 

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