New Caledonia: Officials relax measures territorywide from Nov. 15 due to reduced COVID-19 concerns /update 20

Event

Authorities plan to ease restrictions across New Caledonia from Nov. 15 due to reduced COVID-19 concerns. The government will relax a nightly curfew to 23:00-05:00; exceptions remain possible for workers, emergencies, and travel to La Tontouta International Airport (NOU), with appropriate documentation. Officials will permit gatherings, including sports activities, weddings, and funerals, up to 30 people. Workers can continue to telecommute, if possible. Businesses, such as markets, hotels, and other essential outlets, may operate with health protocols. Places of worship must restrict attendance to one-third of capacity. Authorities continue to close performance halls, swimming pools, stadiums, and nightclubs.

The government continues to require a health pass for high-risk settings. To obtain a pass, individuals must be fully vaccinated, test negative for COVID-19 in the previous 72 hours, or have recovered from COVID-19 within the past six months. The government will permit bars and gambling establishments to reopen under the health pass scheme. The requirement remains in effect for dine-in service at restaurants, sports facilities, cultural buildings, and intercity transportation. Capacity limits will continue to apply. Individuals without a pass may still visit essential stores and use local transport and food takeaway services. Health passes are also mandatory for inter-island and other domestic air or maritime travel.

Domestic flights remain mostly suspended; Air Caledonie (TY) is maintaining a suspension for most scheduled flights until at least Nov. 28. However, the airline continues to operate a couple of routes on a reduced schedule.

Demonstrations against the extension of restrictions or vaccination mandates are possible, particularly in Noumea and other main towns. Activists could block roads in some locations, leading to localized transport disruptions. Officials will likely disperse any protests that violate gathering restrictions.

International Travel Restrictions
New Caledonia permits entry for travelers fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Janssen/Johnson and Johnson doses and unvaccinated minors 17 years old or younger. French nationals resident in other areas of the Pacific can transit the territory. All arrivals must provide a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours or antigen test taken within 48 hours and obtain a travel certificate before departure.

Entrants must take a COVID-19 test upon arrival if requested and undergo a seven-day self-quarantine period; nonresidents must arrange accommodations in advance. Most arrivals, excluding those 12 years old or under, must take another COVID-19 before entering the community. Tests are available for free at pharmacies with a plane ticket. Anyone that tests positive for COVID-19 must self-quarantine an additional 10 days.

The government continues to limit inbound commercial passenger flights through at least Dec. 31; most available flights are from France or Australia. Cargo flights are operating normally.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all transport arrangements and required travel documents before traveling as a precaution. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Avoid all demonstrations as a standard precaution.

Resources

Air Caledonie
Government of New Caledonia
Ministry of Interior (French)