International Relations. Papua New Guinea press review
The United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has extended his thanks to PNG for the repatriation of over 180 US citizens and family member
In a letter to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Patrick Pruaitch, he said: «Our governments have no greater responsibility than to protect and serve our respective citizens in times of crisis. During this time of the world-wide pandemic, Papua New Guinea has once again proven to be a supportive partner of the United States […] We understand PNG has been on the front lines of the pandemic. We are pleased to have provided assistance to Papua New Guinea as it works to contain the spread of COVID-19, and we will continue these efforts».
The US is supporting PNG’s COVID-19 response by committing K4.2 million.
As stated COVID-19 State of Emergency Controller David Manning, the repatriation of about 120 Papua New Guinea citizens from the Papua Province of Indonesia to West Sepik will start next week. According to Mr. Manning, there are 240 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Papua (Indonesia).
Meanwhile, Jayapura-based PNG consul-general Geoffrey Wiri said West Sepik administrator Conrad Tilau advised him to send the PNG citizens in groups of 30 and 40 due to their limited quarantine capacity.
US Secretary of State thanks PNG for repatriating US citizens
https://www.thenational.com.pg/120-to-be-repatriated-from-indonesia/