COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Papua New Guinea (10 December Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• No with exceptions

• No one is allowed to enter Papua New Guinea unless they have a written exemption from the Controller or his delegate and must arrive from Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Solomon Island.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No with exceptions

• Foreigners are allowed to enter with a valid visa and written approval to enter from the National Pandemic Controller.

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes

• Test certificates obtained outside of Papua New Guinea are accepted.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• A negative RT-PCR test result for COVID-19 performed within a 7-day period prior to arrival is required.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• All arriving passengers are required to complete a 14-day quarantine at their own cost. If travellers stayed the last 7 in these listed countries they will be quarantined for 7 days instead of 14.

• All travellers must wear a GPS tracking ankle bracelet during the quarantine period at home.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• Travellers to Papua New Guinea must also complete an online electronic health declaration form within 24 hours of departure. The barcode generated should be saved as evidence of submission. The electronic Health Declaration Form can be found here.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• International flights are operating but are very limited.

• Travellers are required to show evidence of their approved exemptions, proof of a negative COVID-19 test, and a hotel reservation (if required) to be allowed to board a flight to Papua New Guinea.

• Domestic flights are now operating. Domestic airline travellers may be required to be tested for COVID-19. Testing requirements for domestic travel are at the discretion of each province.

• The government has resumed international flights to Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Solomon Islands, and Australia.

• Solomon Airlines will operate a special flight between Port Moresby and Honiara on 12 December.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Only Port Moresby, Morobe, Madang and Rabaul ports are open for sea arrivals.

• All International travellers have to apply for their exemption to enter PNG by emailing the NCC Travel Desk at [email protected] with the following documents:

  • A Completed and signed Air Passenger Transport Form (APTF ), including details of passengers travel date to PNG, quarantine in a hotel (if required) and a scanned copy of passengers passport biodata page as the ID.

  • A letter to the Controller, including your reason for travel, visa details, passport details (including the expiry date) and, if applicable, passengers work permit details and/or resident permit details.

  • A copy of passengers passport biodata page.

  • A copy of passengers visa for Papua New Guinea and, if applicable, a copy of work permit and/or resident permit.

  • A copy of passengers reservation at a designated hotel for quarantine).

  • A copy of passengers flight itinerary.

    • Those who plan to travel to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) must also secure permission to enter from the Bougainville Emergency Controller. Those travelling to Bougainville should (in addition to the requirements above) write to [email protected] to request permission to enter and provide as much information as possible about their itinerary and need to travel.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• The state of emergency has been extended until 17 December in Bougainville.

• There is no nation-wide curfew in place.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• Public gatherings of more than 50 people remain banned.

• Social distancing protocols should be followed for all services or activities that are open.

• Social distancing measures must be enforced in schools, markets, churches and shops and provide hand wash facilities at entry and exit.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Currently, there are no internal travel restrictions in place, though travellers could be required to have a COVID-19 test when they enter a new province.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Non-essential shops are open.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Accommodations are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Places of worship are open with strict social distancing guidelines.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face masks are mandatory in public places.

Aconselhamento

The COVID-19 epidemic is changing constantly worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.