Country bars flight from India

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
A CHARTER flight from India was denied entry into Papua New Guinea after concerns of the possibility that passengers on board were carrying the highly contagious delta mutation of the coronavirus.
Health Minister Jelta Wong said procedures set out by Pandemic Response Controller David Manning were not followed for the flight.
“The Government will continue to protect the nation from the escalating Covid-19 risk,” Wong said.
“The spread of the highly contagious Covid-19 delta mutation is a serious threat to PNG and countries around the world.
“Our Government simply cannot run the unacceptable risk of a large Covid-19 delta mutation spread that would force the lockdown of businesses, Government offices and schools.
“While we have great empathy towards the people of India, PNG, as a developing country must take every precaution to try and block the entry of the delta mutation.
“It would be highly irresponsible for our Government to allow this charter flight to enter PNG from one of the largest Covid-19 hot spots in the world.”
Wong said the only true way for Papua New Guinea and other countries to fully open up and get back to normal was through vaccination.
He said the Government would continue to assess the situation in India.
“The Government will consider a future application for a charter flight, which will be based on health advice, and proper procedures are followed in making the application,” he said.
“Unfortunately, correct procedures were not followed to seek permission for this charter flight, which will cause disappointment for people who had been incorrectly told the flight had been arranged.