Illegal border crosser pair put in quarantine, says PNG minister

11:04 am on 16 March 2020

Two Australians who crossed illegally into Papua New Guinea from Indonesia must spend two weeks quarantined, says PNG's health minister.

The harbour and airport in Vanimo, capital of Papua New Guinea's West Sepik province.

Vanimo harbour and airport. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

The pair, who according to PNG authorities were born in West Papua, are being confined in the northern town of Vanimo.

They were referred to a West Sepik magistrate after being found to have illegally crossed the border with Indonesia.

The border is currently closed as a precaution against the potential spread of Covid-19.

EMTV reports the minister, Jelta Wong, saying it was primarily a border issue.

"Because of our immigration laws we were lucky that our officers picked them up, and they were quarantined because of the law.

"Even though they didn't have any Covid-19, they have to follow the system and they have to stay in quarantine for 14 days."

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