Papua New Guinea: Authorities to further tighten restrictions nationwide from March 22 amid rising COVID-19 activity /update 28

Event

Papua New Guinea will further tighten restrictions nationwide for four weeks from March 22 due to rising COVID-19 activity. Authorities will ban gatherings of more than 10 people; officials may provide exceptions with a plan to enforce social distancing measures. Religious services and funerals can occur with up to 50 people subject to social distancing requirements. People must maintain 1.5 meters (5 feet) of distance and follow hygiene protocols in public nationwide. The government mandates face coverings at most indoor locations, including offices and government agencies, public transport, and airplanes. Exceptions are in place for childcare centers, banks, children under 12 years old, or while eating.

Authorities also now require businesses and public transport operators to deny entry to people without face coverings. All companies with indoor operations must provide workers with face coverings and ensure their use. Officials will restrict retail operations to 07:00-20:00 daily; restaurants and service station hours to 07:00-22:00. Restaurant owners must also submit seating area and compliance plans to provincial officials to maintain operations. All nightclubs, bars, and gambling establishments remain closed indefinitely; establishments that sell takeaway alcohol sales can only operate Monday-Friday.

Officials will continue to limit capacity to 15 people on 25-30-seat public transport vehicles nationally. Other public transport, including vessels, can operate at five fewer passengers than capacity; taxis can only carry two customers. Officials have threatened to impound any vehicle that defies capacity limits, though compliance and enforcement have varied previously.

The government will restrict interprovincial travel, except for essential reasons or with official permission; travel between Central Province and the National Capital District (NCD) and Kerema Open Electorate, Gulf Province, may continue. Officials allow domestic flights for essential reasons, such as student or essential business travel, medical assistance or evacuation, or people returning to their usual residence. From March 22, authorities will require passengers to have a negative COVID-19 test result within 24 hours of departure; staffers will accept either an Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Passengers must still undergo temperature checks before boarding and complete a National Department of Health form to submit to provincial authorities upon landing. Provincial officials can also request that arrivals take an RT-PCR COVID-19 test and quarantine people who refuse to test for up to 14 days at their own cost. The Bougainville government no longer requires passengers to seek approval from the Bougainville State of Emergency Controller before travel; however, inbound travelers must obtain a COVID-19 Medical Clearance via a negative RT-PRC test 48-72 hours before departure. If testing is unavailable, officials require a certificate from a medical officer confirming the passenger does not have any COVID-19 symptoms.

The government continues to restrict ports of entry to Port Moresby's Jacksons International Airport (POM) and Motueka Port and maritime ports in Lae, Kimbe, Madang, and Rabaul. The land border with Indonesia and traditional maritime border crossings remain closed. Authorities have increased military deployments to border areas, though some illegal crossings are likely ongoing.

Travel Restrictions
All travelers - including Papua New Guinea nationals and permanent residents - must obtain written approval from the National Pandemic Controller's Office before entry. Approval is valid for 90 days for a single entry. No traveler can enter the country via land and maritime border crossings. International flights are possible from Australia, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Micronesia, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Samoa, Palau, and Niue on specific carriers. The government could also approve other flights on an ad hoc basis. Australia has banned commercial flights to Cairns (CNS) and reduced capacity on flights to Brisbane (BNE) by 25 percent through March 31. Charter flights between Papua New Guinea and Australia are not operating, except for medivac and essential services. Inbound air passengers must receive a negative result from a PCR COVID-19 test within seven days of travel and complete an e-Health Declaration Form within 24 hours of boarding flights. Officials may deny entry to passengers suspected of having COVID-19 or quarantine them in government facilities, depending on the severity of the symptoms.

Officials continue health screenings for all arrivals. Inbound passengers - including vaccinated individuals - must quarantine for 14 days at designated hotels in Port Moresby. Authorities will allow couples and families on the same flight and a patient and caregiver to quarantine together. The government has authorized hotels to hold passengers' passports during the quarantine period. Diplomats or visitors using official passports can self-quarantine at a residence for two weeks with advance permission. Authorities require all inbound passengers, including citizens and permanent residents, to pay for quarantine. The measure includes the cost of electronic tracking devices for people permitted to self-quarantine at home. Officials may require additional COVID-19 PCR tests during quarantine; individuals that decline further testing could face an additional 14 days in quarantine at their own expense. Authorities could issue fines of up to PGK 50,000 (USD 14,142) and seek prison sentences of up to seven years for people violating quarantine orders.

Context

Authorities announced the new restrictions as COVID-19 cases have risen in the NCD and many provinces in Papua New Guinea in recent weeks. Authorities have warned that a significant outbreak is possible following a 10-day national mourning period to honor former leader Michael Somare that saw thousands of people gather in Port Moresby and locations nationwide, often without face coverings. Healthcare workers have been particularly affected, and officials at Port Moresby General Hospital, Gerehu General Hospital, Pacific International Hospital in the capital and ANGAU Memorial Provincial Hospital in Morobe Province have reported reduced capacity or limited services. Australia will provide 8,000 vaccinations for medical workers in the coming weeks. The tighter measures will remain in effect through April 22, followed by a three-week second phase of restrictions.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Prepare to discuss and provide evidence for recent travel history. Maintain contact with your diplomatic mission. Plan for possible ground shipping and travel delays; seek alternative routes and shipping methods for time-sensitive cargo.

Resources

National Control Centre For COVID-19
Ministry of Health
National Airports Corporation
Air Niugini