Border crossing between PNG, Indonesia closed

THE border crossing between PNG and Indonesia at Wutung in West Sepik has been closed indefinitely because of the threat posed by the coronavirus, says Governor Tony Wouwou.
This means a stop to any trade activities and movement of people across the border.
Wouwou said the spread of the coronavirus had already reached the Asian region, and likely to hit Vanimo and PNG.
Thus, it was important to take precautionary measures.
“The border is closed to travel and business until authorities lift the ban based on advice from the World Health Organisation and others,” he said.
The provincial administration is working with the Defence Force, National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority, police and PNG Customs to enforce the ban.
Wouwou said the border post did not have monitoring and testing facilities and this should be a wake-up call for the Government to upgrade monitoring, surveillance and screening facilities and equipment.
“While the airports can be coordinated and monitored, the international land border is exposed to all kinds of threats including health risk,” he said.
“So it is only fair to upgrade the facilities and install new technology to identify threats.”
According to the PNG consular, the Indonesian government is also monitoring its airports and towns such as Jakarta, Sorong and Bali.