ENB imposes five-day curfew amid disturbances

A temporary curfew for the next five days has been imposed in East New Britain’s Rabaul, Kokopo, Kerevat and Palmalmal to help police deal with the aftermath of looting of shops.
East New Britain provincial administrator Levi Mano said the 6pm to 6am starting yesterday.
“Safety is of paramount importance, therefore, everyone should remain in their homes at this time until business returns to normal,” Mano said.
He said all shops in Rabaul and Kokopo would be closed until further notice.
He said looting in Kokopo Town started around 8am in which Fone Haus in the heart of Kokopo Town was completely ransacked while quick action by police deterred looters from looting Dima Trading in Omorong,Vunapope.
He said opportunists also attempted to loot Tropicana in Rabaul however were deterred by police.
Mano said that the programme which was set to be staged yesterday at the old Kokopo Market for the opening of a 14 kilometre four-lane road, officiated by the Prime Minister James Marape was deferred to a later date.
Mano said the decision was unanimously agreed upon by all East New Britain leadership due to the need to avoid any further escalation that may affect lives and properties.