COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Papua New Guinea (29 May 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 the Solomon Islands.

• No person is permitted to board an aircraft or ship bound for Papua New Guinea from any foreign point of departure or airport if that person has been in India in the past 21 days prior to the vessel or aircraft departing on its journey to Papua New Guinea.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No with exceptions

• No one may enter Papua New Guinea unless they have a written exemption from the National Pandemic Controller or his delegate and a negative RT-PRC test certificate issued within 7 days prior to boarding the aircraft bound for PNG.

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 certificate issued within a 7-day period prior to arrival is required.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• All arriving passengers are required to quarantine for 14 days at their own expense in a government-approved hotel unless an exemption has been obtained to quarantine at home. All arrivals will be subject to monitoring through either an approved tracking device or tracking application at their own expense.

• Any traveller in quarantine could be subject to a COVID-19 PCR test at the request of the authorities.

• Travellers from India or foreigners who have been in India for the last 21 days will be required to quarantine for 21 days upon arrival to the country.

• Based on the above restrictions, the traveller will be required to spend between 14 and 21 days in quarantine

*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.

Vaccination Required

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country.

Insurance Required?

• No.

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• International flights are operating but are very limited.

• Travellers are required to show evidence of their approved exemptions, 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. The authorities have lifted the COVID-19 testing requirement for domestic flights.

• International travellers are only allowed to enter through Port Moresby International Airport.

• The authority has banned direct flights from India.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

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

• All international travellers must 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 passenger's 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, passenger's work permit details and/or resident permit details.

• A copy of the passenger's passport biodata page.

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

• A copy of the passenger's reservation at a designated hotel for quarantine.

• A copy of the passenger's 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

• Moderate

• Non-essential movements across the country are limited.

• In the capital, Port Moresby, people may leave home only for essential reasons.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• Public gatherings of more than 10 people remain banned.

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

• Social distancing measures are enforced in schools, markets, churches, and shops with handwashing facilities at entry and exit.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Travel between West New Britain Province and other provinces is restricted.

• Travellers could be required to have a COVID-19 test when they enter a new province.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes with exceptions

• All businesses must close by 20:00.

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.

Others

• Schools are allowed to open from 19th April with strict COVID-19 precautionary measures.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans