Wednesday 1 April 2020 Editorial team

Controller of the State of Emergency and Commissioner of Police, David Manning, says the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) will be assisting Papua New Guineans stranded abroad to return to the country.

“Given the current global travel restrictions including the restrictions imposed by the government, a number of PNG citizens are stranded and the department will be recommending what can be done when the State of Emergency is being reviewed when the 14 days expire,” Mr Manning said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has developed its Consular Response Plan and will be submitting this to the COVID-19 Joint Agency Task Force team to see how citizens abroad can be supported and brought back to the country.

Information given by DFAIT also stated 23 citizens who flew out and could not return were stranded in Australia, one person in Malaysia, four in Singapore and a deceased from a non-COVID-19 related death to be repatriated from Thailand.

The Department has also advised that development partners have pledged to assist PNG’s ongoing security, health and economic response to the COVID 19 pandemic.

“Our thoughts and prayers go to neighbouring countries whose citizens have been affected by the COVID-19. May God bless and protect us all in this time of need,” Mr Manning said.

For media contact: Chief Superintendent Dominic D. Kakas, BEM, DPS
Mobile: 75430557 : Email: ddkakas@gmail.com

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