23:36

Papua New Guinea’s immigration minister has said no visitors from “Asian ports’’ will be admitted into the country because of fears of coronavirus, but this advice has been directly contradicted by the country’s national airline.

In a public notice issued on 28 January, the minister for immigration and border protection, Westly Nukundj, said “all citizens originating from the Asian ports will be refused entry into the country effective today. This is a preventative measure taken to ensure the spread of the coronavirus that is rapidly spreading in the world is minimised.”

The statement was issued to “all operating airlines, shipping lines, and overseas missions”. But it does not specify which ports, in which countries, are regarded as Asian. PNG overland border with Indonesia in Vanimo, West Sepik, has also been closed. “All entry and departures from PNG must be through Jacksons International Airport.”

But Air Niugini, PNG’s national carrier, said it would not uplift any passengers who had been to Wuhan city or Hubei province during the last three weeks. Passengers flying to Port Moresby from Singapore, Hong Kong, or Manila are being screened for the virus before being allowed to board.

“However, there are no other restrictions on travel to PNG from an Asian port. Air Niugini does not operate direct flights to or from mainland China.”