Papua New Guinea: Officials to further tighten COVID-19 restrictions nationwide Sept. 30-Oct. 30 /update 37

Event

Officials in Papua New Guinea will tighten restrictions nationwide Sept. 30-Oct. 30 due to concerns of increased COVID-19 activity. The government will ban gatherings of more than 20 people; officials have revoked previous event approvals. Authorities are also making facemasks mandatory in public places from Sept. 30, except childcare centers, banks, and children under 12 years old. Social distancing rules and hygiene protocols remain in effect nationwide. Officials have permitted restaurants and gambling establishments to reopen provided they comply with strict health requirements.

The government continues to designate Western, West Sepik, and Eastern Highlands provinces as high risk. Most gatherings are banned; however, religious meetings can occur up to 50 people. Bars, nightclubs, and sporting event venues have closed. Officials have banned most transport to and from high-risk provinces; however, travel is possible for fully vaccinated residents for essential reasons with a negative COVID-19 test result. Inbound passengers must also obtain the permission of provincial administrators. Authorities have increased security to enforce measures in these areas, though enforcement will likely vary. Roadblocks are reportedly in place on all major highways linking high-risk provinces.

The government restricts interprovincial flights and other domestic travel, except for people with official permission or essential reasons. Transport may continue between Central Province and the National Capital District (NCD) and Kerema Open Electorate, Gulf Province. Officials limit capacity on public transport services. Police have threatened to impound any vehicle that violates capacity limits, though compliance and enforcement vary.

Ports of entry remain limited 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.

International Travel Restrictions
The government only permits citizens, permanent residents, and fully vaccinated foreign nationals to enter the country; tourist travel remains banned. Officials require all arrivals to obtain written approval from the National Pandemic Controller's Office before entering the country. Approval is valid for 60 days for a single entry. Inbound air passengers over the age of five must obtain a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before travel and complete an e-Health Declaration Form no more than 24 hours before departure.

Officials have further adjusted quarantine requirements. Fully vaccinated travelers can enter the country without quarantine; however, passengers must undergo on-arrival testing and wait for the result before departing entry points. The measure does not apply to designated high-risk countries India and the Philippines. Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and fully vaccinated travelers that return a positive test result must quarantine for 14 days at their own expense. Travelers must undergo COVID-19 testing during quarantine; people refusing testing must quarantine an additional 14 days. Authorities allow couples or families who have been on the same flight and caregivers and their patients to quarantine together. Hotel management is authorized to hold passengers' passports during the quarantine period. Violations of quarantine orders are punishable by fines of up to PGK 50,000 and/or up to seven years in prison.

International flights from Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Philippines are available on specific carriers, though Air Niugini (PX) conducts most international flights. Some repatriation flights have occurred from other countries, though officials continue to suspend flights from India. Outbound international passengers must take a COVID-19 test before departure while at the airport. Passengers that test positive will have to remain in the country.

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