Development

COVID-19 cases in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have risen rapidly this week, whilst any hopes of a Pacific ‘tourism bubble’ have been dashed, writes Hugh McClure.

COVID-19 has begun to seriously re-emerge in the Pacific this week including on a cruise ship in French Polynesia, whilst states continue to struggle with border management, writes Hugh McClure.

Lockdown has been reinstated in Papua New Guinea (PNG), whilst economic experts have questioned Fiji’s recently passed budget, Hugh McClure writes.

An increase in COVID-19 cases amongst PNG healthcare workers has caused alarm, while reports have emerged that Indonesia has used the pandemic to repress human rights in West Papua, Hugh McClure writes.

A return to international tourism in the Pacific is looking less likely, whilst repatriation has continued to be a source of significant anxiety for those trying to contain the virus. Hugh McClure writes.