Government agencies on alert for Coronavirus
GOVERNMENT agencies are on the alert for passengers entering the country from China and Asian ports, as a precaution against the deadly Coronavirus.
Immigration and Border Security Minister Westly Nukundj is warning travellers, including PNG citizens returning home, that some restrictions will be imposed.
“It is important that the Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA) impose restrictions,” he said. He urged government agencies including Foreign Affairs, National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority (Naqia), Customs, Immigration and Health operating at the borders “to be very strict on the movement of people”. “All international passengers including PNG citizens (returning to PNG) must have vaccination certificates.
“Our land border post at Wutung in Sandaun must be temporarily closed to prevent travellers from Jayapura, Indonesia from entering the country.”
Nukundj said interim measures included:
lTemporary suspension of online e-visa for short-term “easy visitor permit” for all Chinese and those intending to apply through the Papua New Guinea Embassy in Beijing;
lNAQIA to impose temperature monitoring detectors at the Jackson airport to manage and detect international passengers having high fever.
5 comments
Government has to stop all importation of meat or animal protein. Stop people from entering PNG at the interim until proper test is facilities are set.
Better stop talking and do something now. Eventhough, those temperature monitoring detactors were used in Wuhan province (CORONAVIRUS epicenter) and even other cities in China, people carrying the virus pose symptoms days after passing through. Therefore, just band travellers with travel history from China in the last 3-4 weeks.
Don’t wait for suspected case in our shores. Prevention is better because there is no cure to-date.
This virus must not be taken lightly, it’s been spreading more faster as days go by. Current data confirms that it can spread during its incubation period, so don’thave to be sick to spread it. This could be a pandemic of our age, like the plague or Spanish flu.
Does the department have all the necessary equipment to detect the virus at the gates???
1. There is no a vaccination as yet.
2. Put a travel ban for everyone and closely monitor all boarder posts.
3. Put an import ban on all goods such as protein (livestock) & dairy coming into the country by air/sea.
4. Have NDOH clinical staff travel around in the capital and around the country to do effective awareness on the virus.
5. Provide hand sanitizes in public area for ease of access.
Comments are closed.