Location: Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu
On August 6, the U.S. Department of State lifted its Global Level 4 Travel Advisory and reverted to individual travel advisories for each country. As a result, the U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens that travel advisories for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu have been updated and are included below.
The Department advises all U.S. citizens to read country-specific Travel Advisories and U.S. Embassy COVID-19 pages for updates on the impact of COVID-19 worldwide. The Embassy’s COVID-19 page may be found here.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect countries differently. Challenges to any international travel at this time may include mandatory quarantines, travel restrictions, and closed borders. Foreign governments may implement restrictions with little notice, even in destinations that were previously low risk. If you choose to travel internationally, your trip may be severely disrupted, and it may be difficult to arrange travel back to the United States.
Papua New Guinea – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel to Papua New Guinea due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in Papua New Guinea due to crime, civil unrest, health concerns, natural disasters, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Papua New Guinea due to COVID-19.
Papua New Guinea has lifted stay at home orders, and resumed some transportation options and business operations. Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Papua New Guinea.
Reconsider travel to:
- Areas near the Panguna mine in Bougainville due to civil unrest.
- The Highlands region due to the long-term effects of a natural disasterthat occurred in February 2018 and civil unrest.
- Areas in the vicinity of Mt. Ulawun on the island of New Britain due to natural disaster.
Country Summary: Violent crime, including sexual assault, carjackings, home invasions, kidnappings, and armed robberies, is common. Tensions between communal or clan groups may result in violence at any time without warning. Police presence is limited outside of the capital Port Moresby, and police may be unable to assist due to limited resources.
Public demonstrations, especially in population centers, are common and may turn violent. Even peaceful demonstrations may present opportunities for criminal elements or other actors to exacerbate local political tensions.
On August 21, 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a Level 2 Travel Notice for Papua New Guinea regarding an outbreak of vaccine-derived poliovirus in the Morobe Province. Refer to the CDC for additional information and advice on the outbreak.
The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Port Moresby due to limited transportation infrastructure. U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization before traveling to areas of concern, including Bougainville.
Read the country information page.
If you decide to travel to Papua New Guinea:
- See the U.S. Embassy’s web pageregarding COVID-19.
- Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19.
- Visit the CDC Travelers’ Health Page.
- Avoid using local taxis or buses, known as public motor vehicles or PMVs.
- Travel with guides from a reputable tour company, particularly if you plan to hike.
- Avoid walking or driving at night.
- Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
- Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebookand
- Review the Crime and Safety Reportfor Papua New Guinea.
- U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Travelers’ Checklist.
Areas Near the Panguna Mine – Reconsider Travel
The Autonomous Government of Bougainville has designated areas near the Panguna mine as “no go zones” due to the risk of violence and civil unrest. Bougainville police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.
The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Port Moresby due to limited transportation infrastructure. U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization before traveling to areas of concern, including Bougainville.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
The Highlands Region – Reconsider Travel
An earthquake has damaged infrastructure and disrupted local services. There is a risk of tribal violence in the region.
The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Port Moresby due to limited transportation infrastructure. U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization before traveling to areas of concern, including Bougainville.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Areas in the Vicinity of Mt. Ulawun – Reconsider Travel
Recent years have seen regular volcanic activity at Mt. Ulawun, a volcano on the eastern end of the island of New Britain. A major eruption occurred in June 2019, leading to widespread ash fall, the displacement of local communities, and the temporary closure of the international airport in Hoskins.
Smaller, but still significant, eruptions occurred in August and October 2019.Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Solomon Islands – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel to the Solomon Islands due to COVID-19.
Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a level 3 Travel Health Notice for the Solomon Islands due to COVID-19.
The Solomon Islands has lifted stay at home orders, and resumed business operations. However, only repatriation flights organized by the Solomon Islands government are operating on an occasional basis. Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in the Solomon Islands.
Read the country information page.
If you decide to travel to Solomon Islands:
- See the U.S. Embassy’s web page regarding COVID-19.
- Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebookand Twitter.
- U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Vanuatu – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel to Vanuatu due to COVID-19.
Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Vanuatu due to COVID-19.
Vanuatu has lifted stay at home orders and resumed business operations. However, only repatriation flights organized by the Vanuatu government are operating on an occasional basis.
Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Vanuatu.
Read the country information page.
If you decide to travel to Vanuatu:
- See the S. Embassy’s web pageregarding COVID-19.
- Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebookand Twitter.
- U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
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. Consular Agency in Honiara, Solomon Islands
Phone number: + 677 27429 or + 677 74 94731
Email address: us_consular@usconsular.com.sb and keithieusa@usconsular.com.sb
U.S. State Department – Consular Affairs
+1 888 407 4747 or +1 202 501 4444
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates