Transcript
Restrictions on all visitors coming from China were introduced late last month.
Since then, health screening measures have also been in place at PNG's various official points of entry and isolation units have been activated.
PNG's health secretary, Paison Dakulala, urged the public to take measures to protect themselves, such as regularly washing hands with soap and distancing themselves from others when coughing and sneezing.
The World Health Organisation continues to work closely with PNG's government to prepare for the virus threat..
The WHO's country rep, Luo Dapeng underlined that the virus is a new disease that health officials in all countries are still learning about, hence the need to work together
Dr Dakulala said while there is a high risk of coronavirus entering PNG, they are doing everything possible to prevent it while also preparing the country in case it reached their shores.
The secretary was asked about how much awareness was there of the coronavirus threat in the many remote provinces of PNG.
He said the health department has been training provincial personnel in field epidemiology to respond to disease outbreaks.
The Minister for Civil Aviation Lekwa Gure (lek-wah goo-reh) gave an update about screening measures being implemented on arriving passengers at PNG's international airports.
As news of the virus threat has spread through PNG's fervent facebook grapevine, the Minister said PNG and WHO officials were endeavouring to regularly update the public with accurate information about it.
"But this has not been helped when people start spreading news through this 'fake news' on social media. So I'm appealing to the public that if they are participating in the spread of fake news, then they should stop. Be responsible. Be part of the team and help us fight and contain this disease if it ever comes to Papua New Guinea."
Meanwhile, Papua New Guinean students quarantined in New Zealand over coronavirus fears have been cleared.
Earlier this month New Zealand's government evacuated 17 PNG students from Wuhan - the Chinese epicentre of the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.
They are now free to return home.
