Tuesday 9 June 2020

The government has repatriated 29 citizens, comprising 25 detained illegal border crossers, four stranded citizens and a baby back to  Papua New Guinea from Jayapura, Indonesia, through the Skouw/Wutung International Border on Wednesday June  3, 2020.

The 25 illegal border crossers were released after completing their prison terms in Indonesia. They were escorted by the Indonesian Authorities and the PNG Consul General in Jayapura, Col. Geoffrey Wiri to the Batas Border Post and handed over to the PNG West Sepik COVID -19 Team at the border.

Rapid COVID-19 testing was carried out by officials from the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) and Provincial Health Authorities at the border.

The repatriated citizens are currently undergoing 14 days quarantine at Golden Medallion hotel, a government paid quarantine facility in Vanimo.

The Acting Deputy Secretary Operations, Department of Foreign Affairsand International Trade,  John Yamin, said   that after the 14 days quarantine, they will be released back into their communities and families.

The next batch to be repatriated from Indonesia are 13 students mostly scattered around Indonesia. The Department, through its Missions in Jakarta and Jayapura anticipate to repatriate them in the coming week.

“We deeply appreciate the Government’s collective effort, through its whole of Government approach to addressing COVID-19 pandemic, and especially the Sandaun Provincial Government and border agencies in executing a successful repatriation exercise and look forward to repatriating all remaining PNG stranded citizens in Indonesia,” said Mr  Yamin.

 

Media contact: Chief Superintendent Dominic D. Kakas, BEM, DPS
Team Leader – COVID-19 Media & Public Information Joint Agency Task Force
Mobile: 75430557 :Email: ddkakas@gmail.com