Posted 14 May and updated 1 June to note the elimination of the requirement to obtain a COVID-19 test for domestic air travel.
Location: Papua New Guinea
Event: Issuance of Updated COVID-19 Emergency Measures Effective May 13, 2021.
U.S. citizens are advised that the Office of the Controller issued updated COVID-19 emergency measures that came into effect on May 13, 2021. A consolidated, text searchable version of the latest measures may be found here
. On May 27, 2021, the Controller amended Measure 3, related to domestic travel, eliminating the requirement to obtain a COVID-19 test for purposes of domestic air travel (see here
).
Under the updated measures:
- Interprovincial air travel is restricted to essential travel, including student travel, return to a habitual place of residence, essential business travel, and medical assistance and emergencies; or to persons who have approval from the Controller, the Controller’s delegate, or the provincial administrator from the traveler’s province of origin
- Gatherings related to religious activities, funerals, and haus krais are limited to no more than 100 people; gatherings for recreational sports are limited to no more than 4 people; and all other gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people
- The use of face masks in public areas is required with certain exceptions
Questions about travel 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 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:
- Contact provincial and district health officials to inquire about the availability of vaccination services
- 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 provincial and national governments 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:
- Carefully review Air Niugini’s travel advice and the “Transportation Options” section of the Embassy’s COVID-19 information page
- Note that the Embassy’s summary of transportation options is provided for informational purposes only; we cannot make travel arrangements and we cannot direct air service providers
- Obtain a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR administered within 72 hours of your first international departure
- Test results or documentation to be used for travel 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, including for information about extended itineraries with transits in third countries
- Plan and arrive early enough for additional COVID-19 testing at the time of check-in for your flight departing PNG; testing is conducted at the car park adjacent to the international terminal at Jacksons Airport (POM)
- Pay close attention to transit requirements in third countries, including routing, ticketing, and COVID-19 testing requirements, as well maximum transit times
- Avoid using fare aggregator services to book your travel; work with airlines directly or with a reputable travel agent who is familiar with PNG, Air Niugini, and Air Niugini’s partner airlines
- 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 first U.S. port of entry
- If you transit Brisbane or Sydney for more than eight hours, obtain a Subclass 771 transit visa; note that domestic travel within Australia, even to catch onward international flights, is not viable
- If your transit in Australia is less than eight hours or you are allowed to remain in the airport for the duration of transit, ensure that your bags can be checked through to your first U.S. port of entry
- If you transit Brisbane, complete this online form within 72 hours of your travel
- If you transit Sydney, obtain the required quarantine exemption from the New South Wales government; see here for more on transiting in New South Wales
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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