Filter for Papua New Guinea Government Actions to Stop the Spread of Coronavirus

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2020-08-14 Out Movement restrictions: Border closure 
Papua New Guinea has granted approval for 175 Chinese citizens to return to PNG to complete major infrastructure projects around the country.
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2020-08-13 In Movement restrictions: Surveillance and monitoring
Papua New Guinea police officers and soldiers patrolling Port Moresby to enforce the Covid-19 health measures will wear red armbands to highligh their authority.
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2020-08-13 In Socio-economic measures: Military deployment
Prime Minister James Marape assured the public that the use of soldiers to assist police around the city was not meant to "scare people" but was to manage crowds and ensure order.
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2020-08-13 In Public health measures: Other public health measures enforced
public transport drivers and crew would wear masks and limit their passengers to 15 on public motor vehicles.
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2020-08-06 In Socio-economic measures: Economic measures
Leaders of Papua New Guinea and Australia have signed a Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership.
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2020-08-03 In Public health measures: Mass population testing
health officials had set up clinics for screening of patients in identified hotspot areas.
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2020-08-01 In Movement restrictions: Domestic travel restrictions
passenger flights into Bougainville could only be approved charter or medevac trips until 13 August. He said outbound passengers also needed to have prior approval.
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2020-08-01 In Movement restrictions: Domestic travel restrictions
airlines would also only be able to operate one freight flight each week.
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2020-08-01 In Movement restrictions: Domestic travel restrictions
The Bougainville Emergency Controller has re-imposed restrictions on flying into the Papua New Guinea autonomous region in response to a surge of Covid-19 cases on the mainland.
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2020-07-31 In Public health measures: Strengthening the public health system
PNG reached out to the World Health Organisation and Australia for help. Canberra has responded positively and is sending a team to assess and improve laboratory services, case management, infection control and triage and emergency management. The WHO has also stepped up its response deploying more emergency medical staff to PNG, to strengthen testing capacity and medical supply delivery.
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2020-07-28 In Social distancing: Schools closure 
Schools will close down for 14 days
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2020-07-28 In Lockdown: Partial lockdown
National Capital District and Port Moresby shut down for 14 days under the Pandemic Act, with only essential businesses to operate
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2020-07-28 In Movement restrictions: Curfews
curfew to run between 10pm and 5am.
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2020-07-28 In Social distancing: Closure of businesses and public services
no Public Motor Vehicles are allowed to operate except taxi services, with passengers and drivers to wear masks.
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2020-07-28 In Public health measures: Requirement to wear protective gear in public
Essential workers are also required to wear masks when in public
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2020-07-28 In Movement restrictions: Domestic travel restrictions
an immediate ban on all domestic flights from Port Moresby, for an initial period of 14 days.
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2020-07-27 In Social distancing: Limit public gatherings
restrictions had been placed on numbers of public gatherings to 100.
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2020-07-24 In Public health measures: Strengthening the public health system
"There is a sufficient supply of Personal Protectiion Equipment in the country for health workers with stocks of N-95 masks, surgical masks, goggles, gloves and cover robes, being distributed to all provincial authorities."
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2020-07-23 In Public health measures: Strengthening the public health system
Papua New Guinea’s provincial hospitals are to have isolation wards to care for Covid-19 patients.
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2020-07-23 In Public health measures: Testing policy
Health workers had been directed to collect samples of all suspect Covid-19 cases, including any patient with pneumonia or respiratory cases.
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2020-07-23 In Public health measures: Isolation and quarantine policies
Other new control measures designed to prevent the spread of the virus include the isolation of all confirmed Covid-19 patients at a designated facility regardless of severity. If facilities were full, home isolation would be considered.
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2020-07-21 In Public health measures: Requirement to wear protective gear in public
"Mask wearing will be mandatory requirement if you want to travel in public places, or participate in public occasions in a safe distance," Mr Marape said.
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2020-07-21 In Public health measures: Strengthening the public health system
Masks will be distributed to all residents of the city.
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2020-07-21 In Public health measures: Awareness campaigns
residents of the capital to be vigilant in taking precautionary measures that the government has been recommending for the past four months: hand washing, maintaining hygiene standards and social distancing, which Mr Marape said remained the most effective steps to preventing the spread of the virus.
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2020-07-08 In Movement restrictions: Border closure 
Papua New Guinea has sought assurances from Indonesia that it will help to prevent Covid-19 spreading across the border.
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2020-06-22 In Movement restrictions: Emergency administrative structures activated or established
Call for action over contentious new PNG emergency law
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2020-06-20 In Public health measures: State of emergency declared
The police chief, Francis Tokura, announced that the state of emergency would be extended for another month. It is now scheduled to end 14 August
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2020-06-17 Out Socio-economic measures: State of emergency declared
PNG’s Emergency Covid-19 Act lapsed on Tuesday
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2020-06-17 Out Social distancing: Schools closure 
schools are now allowed to revert to normal classes
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2020-06-17 Out Social distancing: Closure of businesses and public services
churches can conduct services again and sporting activities can resume
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2020-06-17 In Social distancing: Closure of businesses and public services
nightclubs and betting shops will remain closed
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2020-06-17 In Social distancing: Closure of businesses and public services
ban on weekend sales of alcohol continues.
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2020-06-17 In Social distancing: Limit public gatherings
Bougainville allowing for three week election because of Covid-19
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2020-06-15 In Public health measures: Strengthening the public health system
PNG Covid-19 centre to continue operating outside SOE
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2020-06-15 In Socio-economic measures: Emergency administrative structures activated or established
government is preparing a National Public Health Emergency Bill to guide the country’s ongoing response to the pandemic
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2020-06-13 In Socio-economic measures: State of emergency declared
Bougainville extends emergency rules until August 14
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2020-06-10 In Socio-economic measures: Economic measures
PNG secures major IMF loan to underpin budget
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2020-06-09 In Public health measures: Mass population testing
PNG Covid screening remains focussed on Indonesian border
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2020-06-09 In Socio-economic measures: State of emergency declared
Parliament voted by 80-2 to extend the state of emergency to 16 June.
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2020-06-04 In Socio-economic measures: Economic measures
Thirteen shops in Papua New Guinea have been fined for price gouging. The shops were found to have increased the cost of items regulated under the Covid 19 State of Emergency.
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2020-05-29 In Movement restrictions: Surveillance and monitoring
Aerial drones will soon be helping the Papua New Guinea defence force with border surveillance.
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2020-05-27 In Public health measures: Strengthening the public health system
Bougainville opens Covid-19 quarantine facility
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2020-05-26 In Public health measures: Health screenings in airports and border crossings
over 31,000 inbound passengers has been screened at the international airport and seaport in Port Moresby.
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2020-05-26 In Movement restrictions: Surveillance and monitoring
More than 8,500 travellers has been being monitored by health surveillance teams.
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2020-05-20 In Public health measures: Isolation and quarantine policies
no person under quarantine was allowed to leave their room without written authority from him except in the case of an emergency. "Non-compliance with the order by a non-PNG citizen or non-PNG permanent resident shall result in an immediate deportation, the cost of which shall be borne by that person and also legal action to be taken for breach of Emergency Orders," Mr Manning said.
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2020-05-19 In Public health measures: Awareness campaigns
Bougainvilleans are to receive coronavirus awareness messages on their mobile phones.
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2020-05-19 In Public health measures: Psychological assistance and medical social work
Bougainvilleans given access to a free hotline offering advice on Covid-19.
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2020-05-19 Out Movement restrictions: Domestic travel restrictions
domestic air travel recommencing
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2020-05-18 In Public health measures: Strengthening the public health system
Marape-Steven Govt admits COVID-19 Exposes Gaps in PNG Health System
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2020-05-12 In Socio-economic measures: Economic measures
The Marape government has approved PGK280m (US$8.1m) to address both the health and economic impacts of Covid-19.
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2020-05-12 Out Socio-economic measures: Emergency administrative structures activated or established
the state of emergency controller has transferred a number of powers to provincial authorities, including in Bougainville.
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2020-05-11 Out Social distancing: Schools closure 
All schools in Bougainville, except for tertiary institutions, are to re-open next Monday.
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2020-05-11 Out Social distancing: Closure of businesses and public services
Bougainville public servants have been told they can return to normal duties today but they must comply with the ’new normal’ safe workplace requirements.
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2020-05-11 In Movement restrictions: Domestic travel restrictions
travel in and out of Bougainville will continue to be limited to the delivery of medical equipment and other essential materials, until the required quarantine, isolation and triage facilities are ready.
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2020-05-07 In Social distancing: Limit public gatherings
PNG’s State of Emergency, police commissioner David Manning, has announced restrictions on movement of personnel and assets at resource project sites. Furthermore, there are to be no gatherings of more than five people around a project area.
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2020-05-06 In Socio-economic measures: Economic measures
APEC economies agree to keep markets open and trade flowing
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2020-05-04 Out Social distancing: Schools closure 
Reopening PNG schools to require masks and hand washing
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2020-05-04 Out Movement restrictions: Curfews
A 10pm to 5am curfew in Papua New Guinea’s National Capital District and Central Province has been lifted.
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2020-05-04 Out Social distancing: Limit public gatherings
markets, pharmacies, hotels and restaurants, banks, supermarkets and licensed wholesalers are allowed to trade.
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2020-05-04 Out Social distancing: Closure of businesses and public services
public transport has resumed with limits on passenger numbers
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2020-05-04 Out Social distancing: Schools closure 
classes for primary and secondary schools will resume on the 4th of May, with new protocols in place to protect students against the virus.
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2020-04-29 In Social distancing: Limit public gatherings
Public Motor Vehicle operators in Papua New Guinea face hefty fines or jail if they breach state of emergency rules about social distancing.
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2020-04-27 In Movement restrictions: Domestic travel restrictions
Bougainville turns away flight from Port Moresby. Mr Tokura told NBC that flights carrying passengers will only be allowed when Bougainville has quarantine facilities available
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2020-04-27 Out Social distancing: Schools closure 
University and tertiary level education is to resume next Monday, 27 April.
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2020-04-21 In Movement restrictions: Domestic travel restrictions
Passengers travelling on domestic Air Niugini flights will be required to complete an application form to get approval before checking-in for flights, the airline said.
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2020-04-18 In Movement restrictions: Curfews
curfew between 8pm and 6am
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2020-04-18 In Social distancing: Limit public gatherings
a ban on all public gatherings and a total ban on alcohol sales.
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2020-04-18 In Movement restrictions: Domestic travel restrictions
Ban on public transport and a number of roadblocks at key routes in and out of the capital have been established in order for police to control traffic, allowing only authorised entry to Moresby.
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2020-04-16 In Public health measures: Strengthening the public health system
UN scaling up PNG support for Covid-19 response
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2020-04-14 In Socio-economic measures: Economic measures
The World Bank has approved an emergency US$20 million (approximately PGK70m) project for Papua New Guinea (PNG) to provide rapid support the country’s COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic response.
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2020-04-14 In Public health measures: Isolation and quarantine policies
Any Papua New Guineans permitted to enter by aircraft will be quarantined at a designated facility in Port Moresby at the Government’s cost
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2020-04-11 In Public health measures: Strengthening the public health system
PNG opens Covid-19 centre. The National Response Centralised Facility will serve Gul, Central and the National Capital District, but also be on standby for other PNG provinces.
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2020-04-09 In Movement restrictions: Border closure 
Mr Marape said he had spoken with Indonesia’s President, Joko Widodo about the need to stop all travel between the two countries, with the understsnding that anyone breaching the rules will be imprisoned on the side they end up on
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2020-04-09 In Movement restrictions: Domestic travel restrictions
domestic travel is not allowed to and from provinces with confirmed cases of COVID-19, meaning East New Britain
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2020-04-09 In Socio-economic measures: Emergency administrative structures activated or established
no person including PNG citizens and permanent residents could enter PNG unless authorised by the Emergency Controller, Police Commissioner David Manning
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2020-04-09 In Movement restrictions: Border closure 
suspend traditional border crossing arrangements for travel with PNG between Indonesia, Australia the Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands.
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2020-04-09 In Socio-economic measures: Military deployment
a range of PNG military personnel have been deployed to the border provinces this week to bolster security on their side of the division. 125 PNG Defence Force personnel were deployed to Sandaun to station at three border points, Wutung, Bewani/Schotiao and Green River, yesterday. More than twenty more troops were expected to join them by today.
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2020-04-09 In Socio-economic measures: Military deployment
in Western province, PNG Defence Force naval vessels and police have been instructed to patrol the seas.
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2020-04-09 In Movement restrictions: Domestic travel restrictions
no one may travel from or to Western Province and Sandaun (West Sepik) province, except those exempted, authorised by Mr Manning, or in possession of a travel pass issued by the National Operations Centre.
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2020-04-09 In Social distancing: Limit public gatherings
Easter: No public transport is to operate from 23.59, 9 April 06.00, 14 April. Taxis are limited to two passengers.
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2020-04-09 In Public health measures: Isolation and quarantine policies
Any non-PNG citizen or non-permanent resident returning to PNG by aircraft to be quarantined at a designated hotel in Port Moresby at the individual’s cost
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2020-04-09 In Socio-economic measures: Emergency administrative structures activated or established
any passengers must complete an Air Passenger Travel Approval Form
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2020-04-09 In Public health measures: Awareness campaigns
PNG PM urges public not to stigmatise over Covid-19
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2020-04-08 In Socio-economic measures: State of emergency declared
SoE extended in autonomous region of Bougainville to mid June
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2020-04-08 In Public health measures: Other public health measures enforced
Covid-19 Rapid Response Team flew from Port Moresby to the province late Tuesday with supplies and test kits. A team of medical workers with the WHO and UNICEF also flew in to work on contact tracing.
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2020-04-08 In Movement restrictions: Complete border closure
a lockdown of East New Britain’s land and sea borders for three weeks from yesterday
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2020-04-08 In Movement restrictions: Border closure 
restrictions on commercial flights, as well as shipping, in and out of East New Britain, with exceptions for cargo and health personnel.
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2020-04-07 In Lockdown: Partial lockdown
PNG’s East New Britain under lockdown restrictions for the next 21 days
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2020-04-07 In Movement restrictions: International flights suspension
Commercial flights in and out of East New Britain were restricted
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2020-04-07 In Public health measures: Awareness campaigns
Papua New Guinea’s police chief has warned anyone spreading false information during the Covid-19 State of Emergency will be arrested and charged.
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2020-04-07 Out Lockdown: Partial lockdown
2 week lockdown ends
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2020-04-07 Out Movement restrictions: Domestic travel restrictions
domestic flights for Port Moresby, Mt Hagen, Lae, Madang and Rabaul would resume tomorrow
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2020-04-07 Out Social distancing: Closure of businesses and public services
Public transport will also resume 7th but with strict Covid-19 health and safety measures in place. Passenger numbers on Public Motor Vehicles will be restricted to allow for physical distancing. 25 seat buses will only carry 15 passengers and 15 seaters will only take five.
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2020-04-07 In Social distancing: Schools closure 
MoE confirmed closure of schools will extend to the 24th of April. Public and private schools would provisionally resume for Term 2 on the 27th of April, subject to the status of the covid-19 situation in PNG.
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2020-04-03 In Socio-economic measures: State of emergency declared
PNG extends state of emergency for two months
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2020-04-03 In Socio-economic measures: Economic measures
The government also announced a US$1.6 billion economic stimulus package.
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2020-04-02 In Socio-economic measures: Emergency administrative structures activated or established
PNG govt to recall Parliament to pass emergency legislation. Opposition leader Belden Namah warned that the state of emergency had no legal foundation until Parliament legislates a legal basis for the measures.
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2020-04-02 In Public health measures: Isolation and quarantine policies
Calls for evacuation of Australian refugees from Nauru, PNG. The Refugee Council of Australia agreed that health systems in PNG and Nauru could not withstand full-blown outbreaks.
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2020-04-02 In Public health measures: Isolation and quarantine policies
Illegal border crossers arrested and quarantined in PNG
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2020-03-26 In Public health measures: Awareness campaigns
the Covid-19 National Operation Centre is closely monitoring the situation around the country with its call centre so many calls (700) the Rapid Response Unit had reverted to fielding the public’s queries and reports through text messaging, for which telecommunications companies were providing support
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2020-03-26 In Movement restrictions: Surveillance and monitoring
every person that has returned into the country since 6th of March is being kept under surveillance.
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2020-03-25 In Social distancing: Limit public gatherings
Gatherings of over 100 people are banned.
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2020-03-25 In Social distancing: Limit public gatherings
Entertainment and sports venues are closed.
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2020-03-25 In Movement restrictions: Domestic travel restrictions
Starting from 25 March, all roads into the Central province will be blocked. Transport of cargo and essential services are exempted.
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2020-03-24 In Lockdown: Partial lockdown
14 day national lockdown starting tomorrow March 24
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2020-03-24 In Social distancing: Closure of businesses and public services
All public transportation on the country’s roads are asked to cease operations from March 24
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2020-03-24 In Socio-economic measures: State of emergency declared
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape has declared a national state of emergency
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2020-03-24 In Social distancing: Schools closure 
All schools closed from March 24
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2020-03-24 In Movement restrictions: Domestic travel restrictions
All domestic flights in the country would be grounded from March 24
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2020-03-18 In Movement restrictions: Visa restrictions
Passengers who have been in China (People’s Rep.), Iran, Italy, Japan or Korea (Rep.) in the past 14 days are not allowed to enter Papua New Guinea. They must have spent 14 consecutive days in a country that is free from Coronavirus (COVID-19)._x000D_
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2020-03-18 In Social distancing: Limit public gatherings
All national sporting facilities in Papua New Guinea have been closed for four weeks
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2020-03-18 In Public health measures: Strengthening the public health system
PNG Defence Force was making available its medical facilities at Taurama barracks, and 10 medical personnel, for use in responding to cases for quarantine and other purposes.
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2020-03-18 In Movement restrictions: Border closure 
60-day ban on cruise ships berthing at PNG ports
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2020-03-18 In Socio-economic measures: Economic measures
PNG’s government has budgeted $US13 million for an Emergency Response Plan to prepare and respond to the coronavirus threat.
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2020-03-16 In Public health measures: Isolation and quarantine policies
14-day quarantine and medical clearances for all incoming travellers from countries affected by coronavirus.
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2020-03-13 In Public health measures: Awareness campaigns
Handwashing campaign
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2020-03-13 In Public health measures: Strengthening the public health system
An isolation ward of 8 beds is ready at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH). Nurses and doctors involved in the response have received training and have personal protective equipment (PPE) in stock.
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2020-03-11 In Movement restrictions: Visa restrictions
No visa upon arrival
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2020-03-11 In Movement restrictions: Visa restrictions
Foreign nationals who have been to China in the previous 14 days.
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2020-02-09 In Movement restrictions: Border closure 
Border crossing with indonesia
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