"We surely cannot afford to lockdown NCD again because the economy of the country is in a precarious position," he said in an effort to deflect speculation about a second lockdown.

 

Parkop said: "As the governor of our capital city, I am not going to entertain, discuss or even consider a second lockdown.

 

"The Covid-19 pandemic and the economic downturn are two equally compelling crises challenging the country. But the impact of an economic meltdown would be more severe than the impact of Covid-19 in Papua New Guinea."

 

The National newspaper reported that Parkop did not want to see more people becoming unemployed or going into part-time employment.

 

"We are not going to and I will not support any plans or suggestions to further restrict or lock down the city that will severely affect the functioning, normalcy and ability of the businesses to be carried out daily.

 

"The economy has suffered severely since March 2020 and it is just recovering. We need the economy to start growing again. We need to stimulate the economy.

 

"Many of our young people who completed school last year are seeking employment which we must create for them. Many who have been laid off or gone into part-time jobs are trying to get into small-to-medium enterprises.

 

"A lockdown will surely strain the economy further and therefore sufferings for the people. I don't want to imagine the consequences of an economic meltdown in our city and country.

 

"This is why I am adamant that there won't be any restrictions or lockdown. All we have to do, and what I want to encourage, is for all of us to adhere to Covid-19 prevention protocols so that everything will remain open and we proceed with reviving our country's economy."