Papua New Guinea has issued a ban on all traditional border crossings as they try to deal with a sky-rocketing Covid-19 infection rate.
Coastline near the Papua New Guinea/Indonesia border. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
On Wednesday the country reported its largest number of confirmed coronavirus cases over a 24-hour period with 351 infections and two more deaths.
There were now more than 4100 cases.
In response, National Pandemic Controller David Manning issued a direction banning all traditional border crossings with immediate effect.
Under his order, all land and sea borders between Papua New Guinea and Australia, Indonesia and Solomon Islands are to remain closed and all cross-border travel between Western Province and Torres Strait, including traditional Treaty Village travel, has been banned unless specifically authorised by Mr Manning.
Manning said the closures would last until further notice.
He said Covid-19 transmission within the community was alarming and it was important the PNG Government continued to take strong measures to protect people.
Earlier officials conceded that while PNG Defence Force personnel were posted at strategic locations around the border, they were limited in their ability to stop traditional border crossers going back and forth to the neighbouring country.
Communities with traditional links with Papua New Guinea are scattered around the borders.
Meanwhile David Manning also authorised Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Tests for use at the Port Moresby General Hospital, Provincial Health Authorities and private health facilities.
This was expected to allow quick diagnosis of Covid-19 to ensure infected people were isolated sooner.
