People coming from China to be checked: Minister

By LULU MARK
PEOPLE entering PNG from China will be allowed in only if they have medical clearance against the deadly Coronavirus, says Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Jelta Wong.
Wong said the Health Department was on “high alert”. Measures taken immediately include:

• surveillance of suspected cases through advisory at the ports of entry;
• a health desk set up at the Jackson international airport;
• activation of the National Capital District rapid response team to investigate cases and contact tracing;
• hospitals and health facilities on alert for suspected cases; and,
• the hotline +675 7196081 is now active to report suspected cases. The Coronavirus is a family of virus that causes illness such as the common cold, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS).

Air Niugini has advised people travelling to Port Moresby from China to obtain proper medical clearance documents from certified Chinese institutions.
General manager Commercial Services Dominic Kaumu said they had advised offices in Hong Kong, Manila and Singapore to warn PNG-bound passengers that would be allowed to travel if they produced a medical clearance certificate issued by a certified institution.