Govt considers Japan’s request to resume flights amid pandemic

JAPAN’S Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi has asked the PNG Government to open flights to Japan.
He made the request during a meeting with Prime Minister James Marape last week while on a two-day visit to Port Moresby.
Marape said the request would be considered. “We will (consider it) as far as our Covid-19 protocol is concerned and have a specific flight relationship with Japan,” Marape said.
Marape said this would be part of the country’s efforts to reopen for business but living with Covid-19 sensitivities.
The meeting between the Japanese foreign minister and the government was an example of PNG living on, doing business and engaging amongst the presence of Covid-19, according to Marape.
“We will not be inhibited by Covid-19 in our country and to stop us from functioning,” Marape said.
“We are open for business but we will be running government and business and doing work in a Covid- sensitive manner.
“We are also asking our hotels and businesses to re-organise meeting spaces, conference facilities and dining spaces so that patrons can be using them also in a Covid-safe environment.
“If you are unmasked and you are meeting someone, always have a sanitiser, wash your hands with, clean your hands and our country will leave on with Covid.”
He will be attending the 2021 Pacific Island Leader Meeting in Japan.