Pacific Beat

On the program: There are now eight cases of COVID-19 in PNG with confirmation of a new on in Eastern Highlands Province yesterday, which is prompting serious questions about the source of the infections, and questions are being asked in Fiji about Francis Kean and if he should continue in his role as Commissioner of Prisoners, after he was stood down this week from the Fiji Rugby Union amid allegations of homophobia.

On the program: The airline Virgin Australia has entered voluntary administration and with routes to the Pacific, it's going to be an added blow to the region's already devastated tourism industry and after mounting pressure amid allegations of homophobia, the Fiji Rugby Union withdraws its nomination of its chairman Francis Kean, for a spot on the World Rugby executive committee.

Fiji Rugby Union has withdrawn its controversial nomination of chairman Francis Kean, for a spot on the World Rugby executive committee amid allegations of homophobia, and renewed questions over his criminal record.

The demand for hand sanitisers in the face of the coronavirus pandemic is seeing industries in the Pacific innovate to meet new demands, including homebrew vendors in Port Moresby.

The small Pacific nation of Vanuatu has a new prime minister and government, who have inherited an unprecedented crisis. The veteran politician, Bob Loughman was voted in by fellow MPs yesterday and will lead a coalition made of three larger parties and a handful of independent MPs and micro-parties.

Amid fears the Pacific could face food shortages during coronavirus lockdowns, people in cities across the region have been returning to their 'roots' and establishing backyard gardens.

On the program: Why a PNG expert is recommending the Prime Minister and others to remain in 14-days of quarantine despite receiving negative COVID-19 results and newly-elected Vanuatu MPs to sit in parliament today to vote for a new Prime Minister and form a new government, which will have huge challenges ahead of it.

Newly-elected Vanuatu MPs are sitting in parliament today to vote for a new Prime Minister and to form a new government. It will have huge challenges ahead of it, given the global coronavirus pandemic and the recent monster Cyclone Harold.

With seven cases of coronavirus now identified in three different provinces in PNG, experts from the country’s Medical Institute say the likelihood of community transmission is very high. They are expecting the number of cases to rise in the coming days.

On the program: Five more cases of COVID 19 are confirmed in Papua New Guinea, and Prime Minister James Marape says testing will be ramped up, particularly around the border area from where three of the new coronavirus patients come.