Travel Information From Tuvalu to Papua New Guinea

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Routine Vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (Influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Shingles

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Papua New Guinea. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series. Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given. Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages to Panama.

Malaria

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Papua New Guinea take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Measles

Infants 6 to 11 months old traveling internationally should get 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travel. This dose does not count as part of the routine childhood vaccination series.

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Papua New Guinea. However, if you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Papua New Guinea, rabies treatment is often available.
Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.
Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include
• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas
Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Papua New Guinea.

Typhoid

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Yellow Fever

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission and ≥1 year of age, including transit in an airport located in a country with risk of YF virus transmission.

Japanese Encephalitis

Recommended for travelers who
• Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live
• Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis
• Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis
Consider vaccination for travelers
• Spending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets
• Going to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be there
Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season.

You will need 6 months validity remaining on your passport from the date you intend to entry.

Local Phrases Language : English, Tok Pisin and Hiri Motu

Local Phrases :

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As a general rule, you're prohibited from entering Papua New Guinea with fruit, vegetables and animal products due to local quarantine controls. Marijuana and other narcotics are illegal in Papua New Guinea; offences can carry substantial prison sentences. Homosexual acts are illegal; if found guilty, the penalty could result in up to 14 years imprisonment.

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Port Moresby

Port Moresby is the sprawling capital of Papua New Guinea, a country north of Australia. The vast anthropological collection at the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery includes masks and carved wooden poles. Nearby, Parliament House is modeled on a traditional house of worship. Its entrance is dominated by a large, colorful mosaic featuring national motifs. There are views over Port Moresby Harbour from Paga Hill.

Customs Allowances : Click Here

Crime in Papua New Guinea

There is a high risk of violent crime, assault and theft in Papua New Guinea. Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times, and don't be flashy with valuables or clothing.

The movement of unskilled rural workers seeking employment in major urban areas has lead to ethnic and cultural frictions here. Unemployment and poverty can also lead to civil unrest and crime.

Travelers who are overt with their belongings and wealth, and are culturally insensitive to/around locals, provide constant encouragement to thieves. The best safety advice is to be sensible, culturally aware and keep a low profile.

Crime in Port Moresby

Port Moresby is the main entry point for international visitors.

During World War II, the settlement of Port Moresby was transformed into a huge military camp housing tens of thousands of troops. At the end of the war, urban drift began when people from almost every tribal group in Papua New Guinea and countless foreigners came to the city.

The growth of squatter settlements in Port Moresby in the 1970s gave rise to the Raskol gangs. "Raskol" is the Tok Pisin translation of the English word "rascal", and suggests the nature of the gang. Much of the crime in the capital is attributed to these gangs.

Try to get back to your accommodation early on Fridays – payday – when younger men tend to drink alcohol.

Keep clear of rowdy groups of strangers, keep your cash well hidden and keep a small amount of Raskol money in your pocket if you're held up – it's better to hand a tiny bit over than get hurt.

The easiest solution is to keep away from squatter settlements in the major urban areas if you are unaccompanied by a trusted local.

Car theft

Car theft is common in Papua New Guinea, and carjackings accompanied by violence towards drivers and passengers are disturbingly frequent.

Carjackings are most common in Port Moresby, Lae and Mt Hagen, especially between Nadzab airport and Lae.

In November 2010, an Australian group was carjacked while on a surfing holiday in Madang, on PNG's north coast. A woman and three male friends stopped to drop off their surfboards when they were attacked by a group of men armed with knives and guns. They were robbed, forced back into their car and driven to a secluded location where the men were tied up and the woman raped.

In January 2011, an Australian aid adviser in Port Moresby was carjacked and suffered serious injuries in the attack. The victim, a man in his 50s, was treated at Port Moresby Hospital and layer discharged and flown to Brisbane for further treatment.

In February 2011, two Australians, working in Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby were reportedly carjacked at gunpoint. A female media adviser with PNG's national radio station and a male law and justice adviser were separately attacked at night on the same stretch of road in a residential area popular with expatriates. According to AusAID security, there were no injuries or assaults carried out during the robbery.

International Driving Permit 1949 is required

• The most common religion in Papua New Guinea is Christianity.
• Don't be surprised by hearing multiple languages across the country - English, Creole and Hiri Motu are the main ones.
• Don't wander alone after dark, especially if you're a woman.
• Don't necessarily travel to areas near the Panguna mine - they have been designated as ”no go zones” by the Autonomous Government of Bougainville.
• Don't forget the rainy season usually runs from December to March in the northwest, and May to October in the southeast.
• Don't forget same-sex sexual relations are criminalised in Papua New Guinea.

Do I need travel insurance to travel to Papua New Guinea?

Travel insurance is very important when traveling overseas. We strongly recommend that you take out cover to travel to Papua New Guinea. You can usually take out single trip or annual multi-trip cover to give you peace of mind should anything happen.

It can be a better and cheaper option to take annual multi-trip cover as it usually covers any number of trips taken in one year with a maximum of up to around 60 days away per trip.

We work with the top names in the industry and have already pre-selected the easiest, cheapest and best quality travel insurance on the market to save you time and money trying to find the best cover.

Travel insurance typically covers the following; however, you can tailor a policy to suit your needs depending on where you are traveling to, your activities and how long you are away.

• Medical Expenses
  Medical treatment can be extremely costly and add up very quickly, and include Overnight stays in hospital, minor or major surgery, accident and emergency treatment, drugs, COVID-19 treatment, journey home if you cannot use the original ticket, dental treatment, and many more unexpected expenses.
• Baggage and personal belongings
  If your baggage is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed it is extremely frustrating. If you must buy new clothes, toiletry products or personal belongings it can be very expensive and time consuming.
• Cancellation
  Sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances you may need to cancel your trip. This could be due to several reasons such as illness, injury, a bereavement or many other scenarios. Usually airlines, tour operators and hotels have large cancellation fees, so buying travel insurance that covers this is recommended.

Health Care

Healthcare System in Papua New Guinea

Healthcare of Papua New Guinea is ranked 129th in the world. Healthcare services in Papua New Guinea are inadequate, and the federal government mainly funds them.

Health Risk

Leptospirosis

Caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira.

Dengue

Occurs from insect bites, including mosquitoes.

Zika

Occurs from mosquito bite.

Ross River virus disease

Occurs from mosquito bite.

Hantavirus

Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Caused from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.