French Polynesia: Authorities to further enhance entry requirements from Dec. 30 due to COVID-19 concerns /update 28

Event

Authorities in French Polynesia will require inbound passengers 12 years old and above to have a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of departure from Dec. 30. The government requires travelers to have a negative antigen or PCR test result from a test taken within 24 hours before boarding until the new measure takes effect. Passengers without a test result that enter the territory must undergo a PCR test on arrival; travelers will have to pay for the test from Jan. 10.

Additionally, officials will also begin to request that inbound passengers self-quarantine at their accommodations for 72 hours until receiving the result of an on-arrival test starting Dec. 30.

Domestic Measures
Public gatherings remain limited to 100 people. Establishments must limit capacity to one person per four square meters (43 square feet). Restaurants can offer dine-in services with up to eight people per table and social distancing in place. Sports facilities can operate at 50-percent capacity. Facemasks remain mandatory in public, with exceptions outdoors.

Authorities require a health pass for people 12 years, two months old and above. The passes are available for individuals that are fully vaccinated, have obtained a negative COVID-19 test in the previous 72 hours, or received a positive test result 11 days to six months old. Officials plan to require residents to receive a third vaccine dose 5-7 months after their second dose to maintain health passes. Individuals must obtain a health pass to access high-risk establishments, such as cultural events, concerts, nightclubs, trade fairs and shows, and visitors to medical facilities, except for emergencies. Events requiring a health pass can occur without capacity limits. Travel between Tahiti and Moorea can occur; however, the government requires a health pass for visitors from these locations to outlying islands.

International Travel Restrictions
The government continues to ban the entry of foreign nationals from most locations, except for essential reasons, such as critical personal or professional needs or medical emergencies. However, fully vaccinated travelers who have been in "green" countries, including most of the EU, Australia, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Comoros, Hong Kong, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, Uruguay, the US, and Vanuatu, in the past 15 days can visit French Polynesia for any reason. Travelers from the UK must have a compelling reason for entry, banning entry for tourist purposes. All other locations are "red" countries. The government requires supporting documentation before approving boarding requests for flights.

All approved travelers must apply for an Electronic Travel Information System (ETIS) health registration receipt within 30 days before arrival; unvaccinated or red zone travelers must register at least six days ahead of arrival. Authorities will conduct a COVID-19 antigen test for all arrivals above six years old. Fully vaccinated passengers do not have to quarantine. Other inbound passengers must quarantine for 10 days at government-designated facilities at their own expense. However, the government will permit some travelers to self-quarantine; individuals must request for self-quarantine at least 72 hours before departure. Quarantined travelers above six years old must undergo COVID-19 testing on days four and eight. Vaccinated outbound passengers may travel to green countries for any reason; unvaccinated individuals and people traveling to red countries may only travel for essential reasons with prior approval.

Advice

Follow all official orders. Obtain permission before traveling during curfew hours. Consider delaying travel if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny, delays, and quarantine.

Resources

Electronic Travel Information System
High Commission in French Polynesia