Personal Safety
PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONTINUES TO IMPLEMENT SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES NATIONWIDE TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19). AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO BAN GATHERINGS OF MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE NATIONWIDE. MOST FOREIGN NATIONALS REMAIN BANNED FROM ENTERING THE COUNTRY. PERMITTED PASSENGERS, INCLUDING PAPUA NEW GUINEA NATIONSL AND PERMANENT RESIDENTS, MUST OBTAIN WRITTEN APPROVAL FROM THE NATIONAL PANDEMIC CONTOLLER'S OFFICE BEFORE ENTRY. AUTHORITIES REQUIRE ARRIVALS TO RECEIVE A NEGATIVE RESULT FROM PCRI TEST WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF TRAVEL. NO TRAVELERS CAN ENTER THE COUNTRY VIA LAND AND SEA BORDER CROSSINGS. OFFICIALS CONTINUE HEALTH SCREENINGS FOR ALL ARRIVALS, AND MOST INBOUND PASSENGERS WHO HAVE SPENT THE PREVIOUS SEVEN DAYS IN AUSTRALIA (EXCEPT VICTORIA), NEW ZEALAND, THE SOLOMON ISLANDS, AND SEVERAL SOUTH PACIFIC NATIONS TO UNDERGO SEVEN DAYS OF QUARANTINE AT DESIGNATED FACILITIES OR HOME. AUTHORITIES WILL QUARANTINE PERMITTED FOREIGN NATIONALS AT A HOTEL AT THE TRAVELER'S COST. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS OFFICIALS ALSO REQUIRE HEALTH DECLARATIONS AND TRAVEL HISTORY INFORMATION BEFORE ALLOWING PASSENGERS INTO THE COUNTRY. OFFICIALS MAY DENY ENTRY TO PASSENGERS SUSPECTED OF HAVING COVID-19 OR QUARANTINE THEM IN GOVERNMENT FACILITIES, DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THE SYMPTOMS.
EXERCISE INCREASED CAUTION IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA DUE TO CRIME, CIVIL UNREST, HEALTH CONCERNS, NATURAL DISASTERS, AND KIDNAPPING.
Note: this page contains basic risk information. For more details, please contact the Risk Services Office at risk@berkeley.edu.
If you are traveling to Papua New Guinesa on University-related business, please sign up for the University’s travel insurance program by going here. For more information on the travel insurance program, please go here.
Because everyone’s health is unique, we suggest seeking the advice of a medical professional before traveling internationally. Members of the campus community interested in protecting their health while abroad may schedule an appointment with the University Health Services International Travel Clinic.
The geopolitical threat in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is high. PNG has a long history of political instability. The political system has featured frequent votes of no confidence and a number of coalition governments since its independence from Australia in 1975. This has left the government weak and often unable to pass legislation effectively, contain political violence and separatist movements, or maintain law and order. Politics and the formation of political parties in PNG have generally centered on personalized factions of wealthy and powerful individuals who maintain the support of some regional or clan base. Political appointments are often granted along clan or nepotistic lines, and political cronyism has been a common feature of PNG politics.
Political tensions were particularly elevated from August 2011 to August 2012, when the People's National Congress (PNC) toppled the government of then-acting prime minister, Sam Abal, via a parliamentary vote. Tensions rose again due to an attempted military takeover in January 2012; however, the mutiny garnered little support and ended when the soldiers disarmed in a televised ceremony, Jan. 30.
Parliament elected James Marape as prime minister in May 2019. Marape succeeded Peter O'Neill, who resigned following widespread accusations of corruption and the abandonment of his key political allies. Prime Minister Marape has pledged to reassess the government's economic relationship with multinational resource extraction companies operating in PNG, saying that many current arrangements are not sufficiently beneficial to the country.
The threat of kidnapping in Papua New Guinea is moderate; kidnappings are more likely to target locals. The most common types of abduction in Papua New Guinea include basic opportunistic kidnap-for ransom, high net worth kidnap-for-ransom, and those related to personal or criminal disputes. Victims are usually released unharmed and relatively quickly but could face the threat of injury during confinement.
The threat of terrorism in Papua New Guinea is low. Authorities have not issued warnings based on an official national terror threat level system. Foreign governments have not issued warnings regarding terror threats in Papua New Guinea. No specific threats exist, and Papua New Guinea may not currently be considered a potential target.
Legal/Political
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Papua New Guinea are severe. Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law.
Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately.
LGBTI Travelers: Same-sex sexual relations are criminalized in Papua New Guinea. However, there are no known incidents of the prosecution of consenting adults. Papua New Guinea is a conservative country and public displays of affection are not welcomed.