Indonesia shuts down border

INDONESIA has shut down its borders with Papua New Guinea after five of its nationals tested positive for Coronavirus (Covid-19) on their return home, PNG Consul-General Geoffrey Wiri says.
“The Indonesian government had closed its border in March at the height of Covid-19 in Jayapura but they reopened it about two months ago, allowing only vaccinated Papua New Guineans and Indonesians citizens to travel,” he said.
“They have now closed the border again since the Indonesian citizens repatriated from East and West Sepik were found to be Covid-19 infected on Oct 30.”
Wiri said Indonesian immigration in Jakarta had issued instructions for no more citizens to be repatriated from Vanimo until further notice.
“This is in effect now, but only PNG citizens in West Papua can be repatriated back through the Skouw-Wutung border post,” he said.
Wiri said the Indonesians approved by National Pandemic Response Controller David Manning to cross into Jayapura were in isolation after testing positive.
“The group of Indonesians returned to Jayapura city after following Covid-19 protocols such as being tested negative and under quarantine for 14 days in Wewak and Vanimo,” he said.
“Based on their Covid-19 clearance report, Manning approved their passes to cross the PNG-Indonesian border.
“However, when they crossed the border last week, two were tested positive for Covid-19 at the Indonesian border office on Oct 30 by Indonesians health officials manning the border.
“They were isolated from the rest of the group and taken to a hospital in Jayapura city to be kept in isolation.
“The others tested negative so they continued their journey to their homes in Jayapura city.
“However, three others from the same group later tested positive for Covid-19 in Jayapura and were isolated.”