Covid Testing Requirements For Travel To Australia And Singapore , And Other International Destinations

January 24, 2022

Air Niugini would like to advise customers that both Australia and Singapore have amended their Covid-19 testing requirements prior to travel to these countries.

Effective from Tuesday 25^th January, for passengers flying into both Australia and Singapore as their final destination, a rapid antigen test (RAT) administered and certified by a Doctor is now accepted in lieu of a PCR test.  For Australia, the rapid test must be conducted within 24 hours of scheduled departure while Singapore, the rapid test must be conducted within 48 hours of scheduled departure.

Air Niugini and ISOS will continue to offer free PCR and Rapid tests at the airport at time of departure, for those customers who choose to do their test at the airport prior to check in.

As per information below, passengers transiting Australia or Singapore onwards to third country, can choose to undertake a Covid test independently from the ISOS testing site, however the onus is on the passenger to ensure it meets all the requirements of their final destination country and any countries of transit (including Australia/ Singapore’s requirements as below).

1. Passengers flying into Australia: The Passenger must complete a negative rapid test within 24 hours of scheduled departure.  This can either be conducted at the airport prior to check in, or the passenger can bring a compliant certificate with them issued by a Doctor. A negative PCR test taken within 3 days of departure is also acceptable.

2. Passengers flying into Singapore: The Passenger must complete either a negative rapid test or a negative PCR test within 48 hours of scheduled departure.  This can either be conducted at the airport prior to check in, or the passenger can bring a compliant certificate with them issued by a Doctor.

3. All passengers transiting via Australia or Singapore to a third country: The Passenger must either complete a negative PCR test at the airport, or bring a negative Covid test certificate with them. For those choosing to bring the negative Covid test certificate with them, the onus is on the passenger to ensure the type of test and the certificate meets all the requirements of their final destination country and any countries of transit (including Australia/ Singapore’s requirements as above). This includes ensuring the test is taken within the timeframe required and is of the type and standard required.

4. All passengers flying to Manila. The Passenger must either complete a negative PCR test at the airport, or the passenger can bring a negative and compliant PCR test certificate with them. For Philippines the RT-PCR test needs to be completed within 48 hours of departure.
5. All passengers to Hong Kong, or direct to other international Air Niugini destinations. Passengers must complete a negative PCR test at the airport.

Passengers arriving with their own compliant PCR or negative Rapid Test certificate conducted independently from the ISOS testing site can progress directly to the Departures Check in through the Main Terminal Entrance, ensuring passengers wear face masks.

With these changes, the opening for the ISOS testing facility will now be 3 hours prior to scheduled departure time, and access to testing will still close 2 hours prior to departure. This will be reviewed after two weeks to see if a further reduction can occur.

For passengers providing their own PCR or Rapid test, this can be either an electronic or paper certificate and be in English. It must be signed by a Doctor, and have their Authority to Practise Number.

The certificate must include at least the following information

1. the date and time of the test;
2. the name of the individual tested, as stated in the passport;
3. at least one other personal identifier such as date of birth or passport number;
4. the type of test conducted;
5. the brand and make of the test;
6. that the specimen for the test was collected, and the test was carried out, by or under the supervision of a Doctor;
7. the result of the test (such as ‘negative’ or ‘not detected’);
8. the signature of the Doctor providing the certificate, as well as their Authority to Practise Number.

Corporate Communications Department

24^th January 2022