PNG COVID-19 Controller raises concerns on Long Bank Queues
The long, unmanaged queues at the commercial banks pose a risk for the spread of COVID-19, says Papua New Guinea (PNG) Deputy Controller of the National Pandemic Response Dr Daoni Esorom.
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| Footwears lined up as people take cover or heavy rain in Lae, Morobe province [Photo credit : Hillary Orapisa Patrick/fb] |
“I’m concerned at seeing that there’s been long queues at the banks and people standing in queues are not wearing masks, both inside and outside the bank.
“You see these happening all over the country in the banks. Bank buildings are confined areas that can also be a hub for the spread of COVID-19 infections, including the Delta and Omicron variants,” Dr Daoni said.
He urged the management of the banks to ensure the queues inside the banks are minimized and everyone must wear a mask.
“They must also ensure that all the bank employees are vaccinated to protect themselves, their work colleagues and families,” Dr Daoni said.
The Deputy Controller has also urged bank managements to make sure the queues are managed at the ATMs, and the ATMs are sanitized as they are used by a lot of people.
“The surfaces at the ATMs can be a reservoir for COVID-19 as they are used by a lot of people. Currently, most ATMS are not sanitized. People frequently touch surfaces of ATMs where they can contract COVID-19,” Dr Daoni said.
He urged the management of the various banks to liaise with the National Control Center and come up with Standard Operating Procedures for COVID-19 workplace safety and operations to minimise the spread of the virus in the bank workplaces.
He also urged people to make sure they are vaccinated as they can get COVID-19 in crowded places such as banks or even spread the virus to others.
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