Location: Papua New Guinea
Event: Issuance of New COVID-19 Emergency Measures by National Pandemic Controller Amid Continued Rise in COVID-19 Cases
In response to a continued sharp increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in PNG, the National Pandemic Controller issued new emergency measures on March 18.
The new measures come into effect on March 22 and have important implications for domestic travel, businesses, and social practices.
Under the new measures:
- Interprovincial travel is restricted to essential reasons for travel, including return to a habitual place of residence, essential business travel, and medical assistance and emergencies
- All domestic air travelers, except in cases of medical emergency, must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR or antigen (not antibody) test administered within one day prior to boarding
- Gatherings of more than 10 people are banned; gatherings for the purpose of religious activities are restricted to 50 people
- Retail outlets may only operate from 7 am to 8 pm
- Restaurants and service stations may only operate from 7 am to 10 pm
The full text of the measures may be found at the PNG governments COVID-19 information portal. Questions about new travel related requirements should be directed to air service providers.
U.S. citizens and their organizations are urged to adhere to all applicable local, provincial, and national requirements, and to follow health-related guidance in order to limit exposure to COVID-19 and to protect fellow community members.
U.S. Embassy Port Moresby regularly updates its own COVID-19 information page, including the status of consular services and a summary of international transportation options and requirements. The Embassy does not provide health and medical services to private U.S. citizens and cannot make travel arrangements.
The U.S. government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
Actions to Take:
- Avoid non-essential domestic and international travel and take steps to avoid exposure by yourself, your family, and your community to COVID-19
- Follow the direction of local, provincial, and national government and health authorities
- Monitor local media and the PNG government’s COVID-19 portal for up-to-date information on the national situation
- Monitor the Embassy’s COVID-19 information page for updates on international travel and consular services
- Consult the CDC website for the up-to-date information on COVID-19
- Review the Department of State’s COVID-19 crisis page for the latest information on international travel and for a listing of other U.S. Embassies’ COVID-19 information pages
Travel Between PNG and the United States:
- Review Air Niugini’s travel advice and the “Transportation Options” section of the Embassy’s COVID-19 information page
- Obtain a negative result from a COVID-19 viral test administered within three calendar days of your first international departure—or travel with documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel
- For purpose of travel, test results or documentation from a health care provider should include the traveler’s full name, date of birth, and passport number
- Consult the CDC’s Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. COVID-19 testing requirements
- Pay close attention to transit requirements in third countries, including maximum transit times and ticketing requirements
- Work with a travel agent who is familiar with PNG, Air Niugini, and Air Niugini’s partner airlines, as well transit requirements in Singapore, Hong Kong, Brisbane, and Sydney
- If you transit Singapore or Hong Kong, ensure that you have a consolidated itinerary issued as a single ticket and that you and your baggage can be checked from Port Moresby to your post-Singapore or post-Hong Kong destination or first U.S. port of entry
- If you transit Brisbane or Sydney for more than eight hours, obtain a Subclass 771 transit visa
- If you transit Auckland, obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Phone number: +675 308 2100
Email address: ConsularPortMoresby@state.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usembassyportmoresby/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/usembassypom?lang=en
U.S. State Department – Consular Affairs
+1 888 407 4747 or +1 202 501 4444
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