Manning: International Passenger arrivals in PNG must be fully vaccinated

POLICE Commissioner and Controller of the PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response  David Manning has released new control measures that are specifically aimed at preventing the spread of the COVID-19 Delta mutation.

Commissioner Manning said the new measures have been agreed following consultation with health officials and the private sector.

“The Delta strain of COVID-19 poses a very clear and serious threat to our country, and we will do everything we can to prevent or delay its arrival and spread,” Mr. Manning said.

“Under the updated measures, all incoming passengers and crew must be fully vaccinated before boarding an international flight coming into Papua New Guinea.

“The mandatory quarantine period has also been extended to 21 days for incoming travellers, and COVID-19 tests will be undertaken on the first, seventh and final day

of quarantine.

“All scheduled flights can continue as normal and unscheduled flights require approval through the controller.”

Mr. Manning said the Government is aware of the implications that COVID-19 control measures can have on business, and every effort is being taken to balance these

pressures.

“These measures do come with much less cost than the economic disaster that

could occur if there was an explosion of the highly infectious COVID-19 Delta strain

in our country.

“I want to reassure the business community that there is no intention to stop commercial flights as these measures are aimed at reducing the risk that comes with

incoming passenger arrivals.

“Maintaining international flight connections is particularly important for our economic

recovery.

“This includes our seafood exporters who must get product to overseas markets, and

the mining sector that is dependent upon the arrival of critical machinery parts.

“There will be no restriction on outbound passenger travel as this is a matter for the

receiving country.”

The Commissioner said keeping the COVID-19 Delta strain out of the country is an enormous challenge, as the mutation has now arrived in Australia and Indonesia, but Government must maintain focus.

“Vaccines are being distributed and options increasingly made available to the public so they can be better protected.

“We have all seen the devastation that was brought upon the people of India where it spread like wildfire infecting millions of people and leaving more than one million people dead.

“Air travel is one way that this virus mutation could enter the Papua New Guinea and this is being dealt with in the new control measure.

“At the same time we continue to run the risk of the Delta mutation entering by land or sea, and current border control measures will be maintained and enforce.''

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