Restriction applies to people who have been to China: Wong

PAPUA New Guinea’s only restriction set out to prevent coronavirus being brought into the country applies to people who have been to mainland China, according to Health Minister Jelta Wong.
Wong said people who fell into the category must quarantine themselves in a country outside mainland China for 14 days before they can enter PNG.
He made the comment yesterday after passengers from an Australian cruise liner were stopped from disembarking after it docked in Rabaul on Sunday.
Wong said two passengers on the Queen Elizabeth were removed for medical reasons not related to the dreaded Covid-19.
“No passengers on the cruise liner were suspected of having an infectious disease or had been in mainland China in the last 14 days,” Wong said.
“The cruise liner was cleared by health officials, which is a requirement before passengers can disembark. Unfortunately, passengers were stopped from disembarking through a verbal directive from the governor of East New Britain.
“The directive was made as part of the East New Britain provincial emergency response plan to the management of Covid-19.
“As the person responsible for issuing such directions, I did not approve this directive. I also do not believe any such restriction of tourist vessels from Australia is necessary or helpful in preventing the spread of coronavirus to PNG.
“I remind people that there is a process for issuing new restrictions and they are based on the level of risk presented.
“The only restriction that is currently in place is to restrict people entering PNG who have been to mainland China.
“These restitutions have been set in accordance with advice from the National Department of Health and the World Health Organisation and have been in place since Jan 31.
“While Covid-19 continues to pose high risk to PNG, there remains no current cases of the virus, suspected or confirmed in PNG. I will continue to issue updates on any changes, and I encourage people to read reliable information, especially (those) issued by the National Department of Health and the World Health Organisation.”
Meanwhile, the Health Department has dismissed rumours on social media, including a recording of two cases of coronavirus being admitted at the Port Moresby General Hospital on Friday.
Acting Health secretary Dr Paison Dakulala explained that it was a simulation exercise at the hospital as part of the stepping up in preparations and more would be done in Port Moresby and in the provinces.