Govt warns ships, airlines
THE Government has warned international airlines and ships to ensure all their passengers have medical clearance certificates on the coronavirus before coming to PNG.
Immigration and Border Security Minister Westly Nukundj said in a statement yesterday non-compliance would result in a penalty under the Migration Act.
“Only those (Papua New Guineans and foreigners) with valid medical certificates will be allowed in (to PNG),” he said.
“This is a preventative measure to ensure the spread of the coronavirus rapidly spreading around the world is minimised.
“Airlines are also advised not to uplift any passengers intending to transit through Port Moresby
as penalties will be imposed as well.
“PNG nationals and residents re-entering from any Asian country must go through the mandatory 14-day quarantine assessment period and be subjected to additional screening and monitoring for at least 20 days before entry into the country is determined.”
He also said the online visa application portal and the operation of the Wutung border administration office on the border with Indonesian were suspended.
“All entries and departures from PNG must be through Jackson international airport,” he said.
3 comments
Yes I agree.It reasonable to do thorough check before permission. Our country is still lacking medical supplies and cannot be prevented if coronavirus is spread.
Dear PNG government,
Words alone don’t suffice. Words remain words if not put into action. As government you have to delegate people to take measures at ports and airports, or border check points. In PNG we do not have the capacity to handle a worst case scenario so for now the government should do everything from preventing the virus entering PNG. Prevention is our best defense for now. But after reading the reports of the students returning from China and how slack controlls have been in China, Hong Kong and Pom airport I really doubt the seriousness with which the government tries to tackle the imminent threat of this deadly virus.
Stop talking and take actions measures.
NATO syndrome.
” No Action Talk Only”
We have the tendency to use established Laws to warn the public and travellers both domestic and international for global warming and threat to humans, however, the implementation Teams lack the best resources to action.
Be realistic on matters of vitality.
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