Papua New Guinea: Officials tightening gathering restrictions nationwide through Feb. 28 due to COVID-19 concerns. /update 44

Event

Papua New Guinea authorities are tightening gathering restrictions nationwide through Feb. 28. All gatherings, including capacity at hospitality, sporting, and religious venues, are limited to 100 people. The government will also require organizers to obtain permission from National Control Centre for events with 20-100 people.

Domestic Measures
People 12 years old or above must wear facemasks in public places, except childcare centers and banks. Social distancing rules and hygiene protocols remain in effect. Officials allow restaurants and gambling establishments to operate under strict health requirements.

The government could classify some provinces as high risk at short notice, though local officials can adjust measures based on COVID-19 activity. Typical restrictions in high-risk regions include a ban on gatherings, a 14:00-06:00 curfew, and the closure of recreational venues and some nonessential and large retail businesses. Most travel to and from high-risk areas is prohibited, except for essential reasons. Officials require any traveler departing high-risk areas to be fully vaccinated, and testing is mandatory for all arrivals and departures from affected areas. Inbound travelers must obtain entry permission from provincial administrators. Authorities have increased security on main roads linking high-risk provinces.

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

International Travel Restrictions
Citizens, permanent residents, and fully vaccinated foreign nationals can enter the country with written approval from the National Pandemic Controller's Office; tourist travel remains banned. Approval is valid for a single, 60-day entry for nonresidents. Inbound air passengers over the age of five must obtain a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before travel and complete an e-Health Declaration Form no more than 24 hours before departure.

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. Any traveler that returns a positive test result must quarantine for 14 days at their own expense. Travelers must undergo COVID-19 testing during quarantine; individuals refusing testing must quarantine an additional 14 days. Officials require unvaccinated diplomats and other official personnel to quarantine for 21 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.

Entry remains 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 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. PX requires outbound passengers to be fully vaccinated. Outbound international passengers must take a COVID-19 test before departure while at the airport. Passengers that test positive must remain in-country.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements and medical appointments. 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
Air Niugini