PX explains travel conditions

The National National
The Covid-19 vaccination is also rolled-out at Butuwin Urban Clinic in Kokopo, East New Britain. – Picture supplied

THE green vaccination card is not valid for international travel as it does not include either the person’s date of birth or their passport number, according to Air Niugini.
Air Niugini in a statement said the certificate valid for travel is the Papua New Guinea (PNG) International Certificate of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Vaccination (ICCV), the World Health Organisation yellow card, or the Australian Covid-19 Digital Vaccination Certificate.

Eastern Highlands heath authority health officer Botas Tivike checking the temperature of Mapai Transport driver George Emmanuel at Kenagi Bridge section of the Highlands Highway last Friday. – Nationalpic by ZACHERY PER

However, Air Niugini said the Health Department had arranged for passengers travelling on the Sydney flight PX001 starting Nov 1 to be issued an ICCV at Jackson International Airport prior to departure.
“For passengers travelling to Sydney with only the green PNG vaccination certificate, they can have the ICCV issued in the international terminal after completing their PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test but prior to check-in,” Air Niugini said.

Kenagi Bridge police check-point commander Steven Mondia checking a vehicle pass with his officers last Friday.

“Passengers without any valid certificate of vaccination valid for travel cannot be checked in,” the statement added. Air Niugini said the yellow card was available from the Health Department and may take about a month to obtain.
These guidelines from Air Niugini comes after the New South Wales (NSW) government announced that as of Monday (Nov 1), fully vaccinated passengers can fly into Sydney and travel to NSW, Victoria and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) without any requirement for quarantine.

Australian Defence Force (ADF) soldiers who arrived in Port Moresby on Wednesday filling in their arrival forms. The Australian government deployed an additional Australian medical assistance team and 14 ADF personnel to partner with PNG in its response to the Coronavirus (Covid-19). – Nationalpic by KENNEDY BANI

From Dec 15, this will also apply for those travelling to Tasmania.
However, Air Niugini said travel was initially limited to Australian citizens, permanent residents and special visa holders.
“We do expect this to extend to business travellers and tourists soon after.

Many people in Port Moresby continue to ignore the ‘Niupla Pasin’ measures such as wearing face masks and social distancing. This was the scene under the foot bridge in Waigani on Saturday. – Nationalpic by KENNEDY BANI

“Parents, or parents-in-law of Australian citizens and permanent residents, who are fully vaccinated are eligible to apply for approval to travel to Australia,” Air Niugini said.
Vaccines deemed acceptable (as at present) for purposes of travel into Australia are:

  • Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd (Comirnaty);
  • AstraZeneca Pty Ltd (Vaxzevria);
  • Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd (Covid-19 Vaccine Janssen) (also called Johnson and Johnson);
  • Moderna Australia Pty Ltd (Spikevax);
  • Coronavac (Sinovac); and,
  • Covishield (AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India).