Utuyam Catering Services has pledged that 10% of its sales will go towards the Port Moresby General Hospital under the ‘Friends of POM GEN’ Emergency appeal to help with purchasing masks and gloves and necessary items needed for the patients and staffs that are essential during this time as the COVID-19 cases continue to increase in the Nation’s Capital. Clare Tomdia Lokes, 30, from Kiriwina village in the Trobriand Islands in the Milne Bay Province is a Medical Doctor by profession and is currently the Director of Medical Education at the School of Medical Health Sciences at the University of Papua New Guinea. She is married with two (2) daughters. Her husband John Lokes works as an Airline Officer with Air Niugini. “Our first Reach out 2021 is a way of establishing that essence of Utuyam or "Star" being luminous in the dark to all, so you just have to reach out and acknowledge that the Friends of Port Moresby General Hospital have reached out and we want, though little as it may be, respond to that." Utuyam in Biga Kilivila, the local dialect in Kiriwina means ‘Star’ and with the slogan ‘You only have to reach out’ captures the essence of how Clare foresees her business forging relationships and creating networks that is beyond just food and entertainment. Clare said that Utuyam Catering & Entertainment was created out of her passion for Cooking and Music with a notion that food and Music essentially provides an avenue for enrichment. “Food has been in human history a centre piece for most, if not all occasions and we celebrate with food, we mourn with food, food is comfort, food is nourishment." She added that sharing food breaks barriers and creates relationships in so many ways and Music and Entertainment are alike, they both find expressions in our lives. Since 2017, Clare has been cooking and selling, mostly office catering and also random food stalls, however this year she has decided to take the passion and build something tangible, and fulfilling for her and her family. Clare has big plans for Utuyam Catering Services and she always wanted for it to be more than just a business. “So we plan for Utuyam to become more than just a catering business, but also an Event Service provider, the full package to one’s event needs." Clare said she will be hosting another fundraiser this Saturday the 20th March 2021 and the venue will be confirmed on their Facebook Page Utuyam. “I would like to also encourage those who come by or others who wish to, to donate something that the Port Moresby General Hospital has appealed for in their flyer, like masks, gloves and beddings."

PNG will not go into a complete lockdown despite the spike of COVID-19 cases in the country. That’s the confirmation from the Prime Minister James Marape following a massive increase in the number of cases from the weekend bringing the country’s total confirmed cases to over 2000, with Port Moresby recording the highest number of confirmed cases with a total of 1,030. PM Marape said the government opted for a nationwide controlled isolation strategy to prevent and control movement of people unnecessarily. “The isolation strategy should be worked on and released by Wednesday in consultation with the Office of the Pandemic Controller David Manning, the Education Department and relevant bodies. He reminded the people of PNG that the country is currently in code RED which is community transmission breaking loose and further appealed for adherence to all prescribed safe and hygiene measures under the New Normal protocols. PM James Marape is expected to make further announcements today after announcing the new isolation strategies.

Nine (9) new cases of COVID-19 cases where confirmed for the Milne Bay Province in the last week. Milne Bay has only lab in the province for COVID-19 testing located at the Alotau Provincial Hospital that caters for the mainland and island districts in the province. “Only people that show COVID-19 symptoms are being tested due to the limited supply of testing cartridges given by the National Department of Health.” said Ashan Numa, the Milne Bay Provincial COVID-19 Controller. “The current active cases are in self isolation with specialized teams that monitor them to ensure they remain in isolation.” There is an isolated ward allocated for those critical cases however there is no one in the ward at the moment. The Milne Bay Provincial Government has renovated one of its buildings which was meant to be the Women in Business Building and opened at the end of 2019 to be used as the isolation ward for people with COVID-19. The building can house 50 people and is currently available to be used once the isolation ward at the Alotau Provincial Hospital is filled. The District health authorities have been notified to build semi permanent isolation wards to be used when they have confirmed cases in their districts. Some districts have already started building their isolation wards. For those that don’t record any COVID-19 cases, the isolation wards can be used for other illnesses such as TB. Mr Numa said that the Provincial Advisory Committee will meet today to come up with COVID-19 safety measures for the province. They will have to incorporate the current national measures into the provincial measures. New measures will be released on Tuesday, 16th March, 2021. He added that community transmission is happening in Alotau town and all residents must adhere to the prescribed hygiene protocols that in place.

From Friday 26th March, all passengers travelling from Port Moresby to Singapore, Hong Kong and Manila will be required to provide evidence of a negative COVID Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test at time of check-in.   This is already a requirement for all flights to Australia. Passengers who do not produce evidence of a negative test will not be able to board their flight. The PCR test must be conducted within three days of the scheduled flight departure. These PCR tests can be completed in Port Moresby for a fee with results provided quickly. Other types of test such as the rapid (or Gen-X test) are not acceptable. Air Niugini continues to operate the six flights per week to Brisbane, four flights per week to Singapore, and twice weekly to Manila. From 28th March flights to Hong Kong and Cairns will each increase to twice weekly, while once weekly direct flight to Sydney will resume on Monday.    Regular flights to other international destinations such as Honiara, Port Vila and Nadi remain suspended due to international border restrictions. 

A total of 90 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the country on Saturday March 13, bringing the national total of confirmed cases to 2,173 with the death toll remaining at 21. The new cases have come from five provinces with the highest of 65 from the National Capital District. The others were: West Sepik – 3; Autonomous Region of Bougainville – 4; Enga -11; and Hela - 7. The reports are showing that everyone is at risk of getting COVID-19 – young and old. Among the 65 new cases from NCD, for instance, 28 were males and 35 were females while two did not state their sex. The age range is from nine to 60 years old. The positive cases are scattered in all the three districts in NCD. Except in WSP where the new cases are found in Vanimo Green, the other provinces also show that the positive cases come from all the districts. For example, in Enga, the 11 new cases come from Wapenamda, Kompian, Wabag and Kandep. The total number of cases in the country are distributed as follows: · NCD – 1030; Western – 324; West New Britain – 197; Morobe – 87; Autonomous Region of Bougainville – 48; Eastern Highlands – 45; · Madang – 44; · East New Britain – 39; · Western Highlands – 37; · Enga – 29; · New Ireland – 23; · Central – 22; · East Sepik – 16; · Jiwaka – 16; · Hela – 8; · Chimbu – 4; · Southern Highlands – 3; Milne Bay – 2. The Controller of the PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response and Police Commissioner David Manning has once again called on everyone in the country to follow the health measures in place to prevent further spread of the virus in the country. He has appealed particularly to people living in towns or urban areas to ensure they do not carry this virus to the rural and remote areas where it may be difficult for people to seek health care. Mr Manning said, “We must do all we can to ensure this virus does not spread to the rural and remote areas of our country.’’ He urged citizens to continue to practice the health measures such as: regular hand wash; cover your cough or cough into your elbow; avoid crowds; maintain physical distance from the next person by 1.5 to 2 metres; and wear a face mask all the time when in public and in places like shops, markets and on PMVs. “I urge all PMV owners to take some responsibility by talking to the bus-drivers and crew to follow the health measures in place by making sure the PMVs are not over crowded and that all passengers wear face masks. If you want to continue to operate your business without the government imposing strict measures, please do your part by following the health rules in place. It is for the good of everyone,’’ Mr Manning said. Meanwhile, the total confirmed COVID-19 cases around the global has reached 118,268,575 by Saturday March 13. Of this, 467,362 were new cases reported within 24 hours. The global death toll reported was 2,624,677, of which 9, 472, were in the last 24 hours.

A turn of events in the farewell of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare as his casket was about to depart on an Air Niugini Q400 Aircraft to Boram in Wewak, had to be delayed. Reports from on the ground say a rowdy crowd at the Jacksons Airport in Port Moresby ran onto the tarmac and demanded that the Grand Chief Sir Michael's casket be removed from the cargo hold and placed in the main cabin of the Air Niugini aircraft. The family of Sir Michael has agreed and called for calm among people in NCD and Wewak and allowed the body of their father to be removed from Air Niugini's Sana flight and transferred to the Australian Military Aircraft C130. Grand Chief's son Sana Somare spoke on behalf of the family appealing to Papua New Guinean's to allow their dad to be flown home to his final resting place.

"Papa blong PNG" Grand Chief Sir Michael was farewelled with emotional goodbyes for the last time as Papua New Guineans living in and around host city Port Moresby flocked the streets of Erima for a last and final glimpse. Residents again took to the streets as early as they could for an opportunity that no Papua New Guinea would have wanted to miss - saying final goodbyes to "Sana", the Grand Chief. A convoy of vehicles from the Erima Funeral Home escorted the casket of late Sir Michael to the Jacksons APEC VIP terminal to an Air Niugini Q400 aircraft bound for Boram in Wewak. It was sight full of emotions as Papua New Guineans lined up on the road towards Jascksons to farewell for the last time "Papa blong kantri" Great Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare as they wept, waved PNG flags, threw flowers at the passing Funeral Home vehicle and even mothers and children were seeing running after the convoy as the casket of "Sana" the peacemaker, passed by going towards towards Jacksons. The Air Niugini Q400 flight bound for Wewak is flown by an all Papua New Guinean crew, captained by Pilot Steven Ilave, which the Grand Chief would have wanted. More updates to follow...

Port Moresby prepares to say last goodbyes and farewell the Great Grand Chief and "Papa blong PNG", Sir Michael Somare as his casket departs for Wewak tomorrow after midday. As the host province of the National Haus Krai for the Grand Chief over the past two weeks, the Somare Family thanked NCD and the people of Papua New Guinea for the incredible outpouring of love and support during their time of grief. "Yesterday marked the final official event on the program for the National Capital District," said daughter Betha Somare. Sir Michaels Funeral Mass at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium was historical, and fitting for a man who achieved what he wanted for his country and witnessed by hundreds of city residents and watched live on television and via live streaming across the length and breath of Papua New Guinea. "Given this week’s unprecedented rise in COVID19 infections in the National Capital we appeal to each of you to avoid gathering in public spaces and if you feel unwell stay home to keep others safe. Always wear a mask when you are amongst others and avoid unnecessary travel." She said the family was saddened to hear about patients and staff at the Port Moresby General Hospital testing positive for COVID19. "POMGH have always taken excellent care of our parents and our thoughts are with them and all our front-line health workers." "Your messages and warm memories shared about Sir Michael on social media have kept us comforted. His legacy, his kindness and his compassion lives on in all of us." She said Sir Michael would have wanted us all to keep each other safe, especially during these unprecedented times. "Stay home if you can and follow the directions of health authorities, she said.

TRIBUTE BY NCD GOVERNOR POWES PARKOP Sir Michael Thomas Somare, hundreds of thousands of words have been published and 100’s and thousands more have been spoken about you since your passing but none of them were really quite adequate. Words cannot adequately describe all you have achieved and the sense of loss we are all feeling at your passing. Sir Michael Thomas Somare lived a life of sacrifice for a greater cause and service towards bettering a young nation, as flawed as it may seem then to our colonizers, but a nation he nonetheless believed in, loved, honored and eventually freed. This courageous visionary man who brought independence and freedom which we have enjoyed for the past 45 years is no ordinary man. A country may be filled with ups and downs, differences in political ideologies and legislative products but it’s foundation will never be weaken if it was laid right from the start. Grand Chief was the master architect and engineer who got it right from the beginning. Despite all that we have witnessed, his vision and his deep love for our country remained steadfast and remains the rock of our nation Today as a nation, we have lost a great grand chief who understood the institution of independence and democracy, glorified its overwhelming responsibilities and discharged his duties with passion, humility, love for God and family, respect for traditions and pasin tumbuna and inspired everyone, from the young to the old, all the same. Grand Chief was all of that and more. He was a man filled with a joy of giving. Giving love, giving advice, having faith and most importantly, giving forgiveness for he knew, the diversity of our cultures meant that differences could not be avoided. Forgiveness and understanding were his greatest traits that we all can learn from. He was a husband to one, a father to many. He is a role model and a legend of our times, the Great Grand Chief. A humble man full of love, strength of character and such an encouragement to us all. In life and now even in death, you have united us all. I remember the day in 2010 when he invited me up to his house at 4 mile hill and himself and Lady Veronica were sharing their insights and visions for the development of our capital city. This was the capital city he chose, so naturally he had deep concerns about its welfare too. After talking about the entire City, he then told me to look down the hill pointing to all his neighbors who were not looking after their yard, no landscaping and some were a mess. You got to fix this Governor. Help our people to change their attitudes and their mindsets, and I told him I would do my best. He envisioned the capital city and its people to live healthy, wealthy, smart and wise, as outlined in the vision 2050 that he himself helped to create. That conversation further strengthened my visions and plans for our city. It was a great privilege and honour to enter Parliament during his time as Prime Minister and although I was in the opposition, we all admired him and he had the greatest respect for everyone. He was resourceful and optimistic especially about Papua New Guinea and its future. Many thought and fought against the idea of Independence. But freedom is a birthright of everyone. And while our freedom was ruled and governed by someone else, our Grand Chief returned that freedom back to us and today we are free in the glory of the uniqueness of who we are as a nation of a 1000 tribes and 860 languages. For that I am truly grateful. We are all grateful! I join the people of our capital city in saluting you and thanking you Grand Chief for your life, your passion, conviction, dedication, confidence and faith in our ability to build a nation and unite us all as one people, one nation and one country. We thank you Grand Chief for the legacy and lessons that you have left with us. To alway be friendly; to be peaceful and promote peace; to alway have faith and believe in God; to live purposeful and useful lives, to promote Unity of our country and our people and to see our diversity as an asset and not a liability. But most of all you taught us to live our lives serving the highest good of all. These are values and virtues we will hold dearly. Grand Chief you a legend and legends never die. You will live forever. To Lady Veronica, Bertha, Arthur, Sana, Micheal Junior and Dulciana, all grandchildren and extended family, do not fear that your husband and father and grandfather will just be a figure in our history books. Many people are working to make Grand Chief’s memory alive and as for me, as Governor of NCD, I have already told the Prime Minister, that we will give the land next to the parliament at the Independence Boulevard to be turned into Somare Peace and Unity Park. This will be the most appropriate memorial to be created in his honor as the Sana of our country. Together with the National Government, we will construct a statue of the Grand Chief that will hold a deep meaning to his aspirations to our country. He will be forever remembered and immortalized for generations to come. On behalf of the people of NCD, my family, I extend our deepest condolences to the greater Papua New Guinea family for the loss of our Founding Father the Great Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare. Thank you for giving us the Papua New Guinea that we will treasure and honor for the rest of our living generations. Bamahuta Grand Chief, Emau, Aioni, Pupyo, Wakai Weh, Pupe Oh, Paiye, Kalau Nau ki piram Topalangat, O mem, Odi nugal ee, Siman Guan, au wooh, Ari Nam nufan bini Paramount Chief, Kukurai e kol Asi, Kune wa, Wa wa wa wa! Thank you and God Bless Papua New Guinea Co-host of National Haus Krai and NCD governor Powes Parkop

Athletics PNG’s Kerowagi based distance training squad for the World Cross Country Championshipsand Pacific Mini Games next year had their first competition last weekend at the National SportsInstitute in Goroka. The athletes were really looking forward to their first trip out of town after three months of solid training. George Yamak was in very good form and with Siune Kagl and Israel Takap having returned to school in East New Britain , Yamak had too much pace in the 1500m for the rest of the field and was a runaway winner in 4min 15.3 secs. There was however a great battle for second between Abel Siune , Wilford Baia and Aquila Turalom, with the WNB athlete prevailing. Yamak also won the 3000m in 9min 32.6 secs , though this was a closer race with Wilford Baia finishing right behind Yamak in 9min 33.4 and 10000m specialist Dilu Goiye third. In the womens events the standout performer was Cecilia Kuman who won the 1500m in 5min 36.8 secs and set a good pace on the heavy track in the 3000m before fading in the last kilometre, leaving Anna Toby to fight it out with Mary Kua. Kuman was the SP Junior Female Athlete of the Year in 2013 following her resounding success at the 2012 PNG Games in which she totally dominated the distance events. Kuman dropped out of the sport in 2015 after not making the team for the Pacific Games. She is however a native of Kerowagi and jumped at the opportunity to get back into running again when the programme was established. Athletics officials were also pleased to see 2015 Games representative Mary Kua showing improved form , finishing second in both 1500m and 3000. The next competition scheduled for the athletes is the Athletics PNG Grand Prix Series in Port Moresby during the first term school holiday. However with the current situation caused by the pandemic, organisers are braced for some possible interruption to the calendar.

The State Funeral of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare is currently underway at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby. Main celebrant at the of the Holy Mass and State Funeral is PNG Cardinal and Archbishop of Port Moresby His Eminence Sir John Ribat. The theme of the State Funeral is "One nation, One people of God." Today also has been set aside as a public holiday endorsed by the Government of Papua New Guinea in honour of the Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare. Below are pictures from the State Funeral. More updates and pictures to follow.

The State Funeral Program of late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare is now underway at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium in Port Moresby. A record crowd is seated within the arena including delegates while a huge crowd in the hundreds waiting outside the stadium have been refused entry as the stadium reached its full capacity. The casket came in a motorcade from the Funeral Home at Erima and escorted into the venue by the joint forces from the Royal Papua New Guinea constabulary, PNG Correction Services and PNG Defense Force. The casket of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare now lies in the main arena on a special built alter before the crowd, as Cardinal and Metropolitan Archbishop of Port Moresby His Eminence Sir John Ribat leads the funeral service.