Country slowly reopening borders, vary of Covid threats

THE country is slowly opening its borders while remaining wary of another Coronavirus (Covid-19) surge, says National Pandemic Response deputy controller Dr Daoni Esorom.
He said people arriving from overseas would only need to have a valid passport, tested 72 hours before entering PNG, have a vaccination certificate and to get tested on arrival at the Jackson International Airport.
He said the wharves were yet to be opened.
He said a decision to open the land and sea borders would be made after a proper assessment of the situation.
For those travelling out of PNG, the National Control Centre (NCC) will have a certificate for international travel. A submission has been made to the State Solicitor for a service provider to provide the service. The service will be available online once the State Solicitor has approved it.
“At the moment we are still using the World Health Organisation yellow card,” he said.
“The PNG green card is not recognised globally. The Health Department is issuing the international vaccination certificate (yellow card) and the turnaround time is 48 hours.”
According to a notice by the Health Department, a request must be made to [email protected] two weeks before the travel date.
A copy of the vaccination card (green card) issued at a PNG vaccination site together with a copy of the demographic information page of the passport must be submitted with the request.
Only people who intend to travel abroad need to apply for a Covid-19 international certificate and only Covid-19 vaccines administered at a vaccine site in PNG can receive the certificate through this process.