Papua New Guinea authorities have tightened rules for people arriving via international travel.
PNG Pandemic Response Controller, David Manning Photo: EMTV
The Controller of PNG's Covid-19 National Response, David Manning has issued 12 new pandemic measures, as the total number of cases climbed to 844.
The Controller's office is concerned about people absconding from the mandatory two-week quarantine stint required of all incoming travellers to PNG.
International arrivals will now be required to have a tracking app or device.
No traveller can enter PNG unless they have been tested within a week of arriving and returned a clear result.
Under another measure the Controller is reinforcing requirements of mandatory use of masks by people in enclosed places within public, buses and commercial establishments.
These include at churches, government facilities, supermarkets, sporting venues, libraries and zoos.
Adherence to mandatory mask use requirements has slackened significantly in recent months in PNG's urban centres.
Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
Meanwhile, the Controller's office reported the latest case was reported in Lihir, Namatanai district in the New Ireland province.
However testing remains limited in a country whose population is over eight million.
According to the Controller almost 41,000 people have been tested for Covid-19.
It said 800 people have recovered while 16 samples were pending at the laboratories. 34 active cases were in isolation.
