02 Dec 2021 | 06:47 AM UTC
New Caledonia: Officials lift ban on inbound international flights due to reduced COVID-19 concerns as of Dec. 2 /update 22
New Caledonia ends ban on inbound international flights as of Dec. 2. Domestic COVID-19 restrictions ongoing.
Event
New Caledonia has ended a ban on inbound commercial passenger flights as of Dec. 1. Authorities lifted the measure earlier than the planned Dec. 31 end date due to higher COVID-19 vaccination rates. It is unclear when normal flight operations will resume, and flight disruptions remain possible in the coming days and weeks. Most available international flights are from Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
Domestic Restrictions
The government has extended modified controls to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through at least Dec. 19. A 23:00-05:00 nightly curfew remains in effect; exceptions are possible for workers, emergencies, and travel to La Tontouta International Airport (NOU) with appropriate documentation. Officials permit gatherings of up to 30 people and no longer require registration for groups under the limit. Professional meetings can also occur with more than 30 people if videoconferencing is impossible with additional protocols. 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 nightclubs.
Officials require a health pass for high-risk settings. 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 to obtain a health pass. The government will require a health pass with a QR code from Dec. 6. The government permits bars and gambling establishments, dine-in service at restaurants, sports facilities, cultural buildings, theaters, and professionally organized events, and intercity transportation to operate under the health pass scheme. Capacity limits continue to apply. People 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. Air Caledonie (TY) has resumed most domestic services, albeit on reduced schedules.
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
All entrants age 12 and above must complete an entry application before travel. 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. Vaccinated arrivals must provide a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours or antigen test taken 48 hours or less before departure. Other travelers must prove a compelling reason for entry; permitted unvaccinated entrants must take an antigen or PCR test within 24 hours before departure. French nationals resident in other areas of the Pacific can transit the territory.
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.
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.
