Border crossing arrangements between Papua New Guinea and Queensland through the Torres Strait have been suspended.
Coastline near the Papua New Guinea/Indonesia border. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
PNG's Commissioner of Police and Controller of the National Pandemic Response, David Manning, announced the new measure under the National Pandemic Act.
The border suspension prohibits anyone travelling between Australia and Papua New Guinea using the traditional border crossing.
There are exemptions for emergencies including medical, natural disasters and emergencies at sea.
Breaches of the suspension are an offence under the National Pandemic Act and people will be returned to their original port of departure.
Under the new Measure No 12:
1. The traditional border crossing arrangements established under the Torres Strait Treaty were hereby suspended and there was a prohibition on the travel of any persons between Australia and Papua New Guinea using the traditional border crossing.
2. For the purpose of these Measures, a person arriving into PNG on any vessel is taken not to arrive in PNG if the person does not leave the vessel.
3. The Controller, Governor or Provincial Administrator of Western Province may exempt a person from this Measure, at their sole discretion and subject to conditions they impose.
4. A person is exempted from these measures in the event of emergencies, including but not limited to medical emergencies, natural disasters and emergencies at sea.
5. A person that attempts to or does breach paragraph 1, shall be deemed to have committed an offence under the National Pandemic Act 2020.
6. A person that breaches paragraph 1, shall be returned to their original Port of Departure at the cost of the individual.
7. Authorised Officers shall ensure appropriate levels of surveillance and border monitoring systems are in place throughout the country for international travel and in particular at the traditional border crossing areas.
8. These Measures come into effect on 04 May 2022 and shall apply until the end of the Declaration of a Pandemic under the Act, or as varied or revoked by the Controller.