French Polynesia: Authorities ease entry requirements for travelers from "orange" countries as of Jan. 12 /update 29

Event

French Polynesia has eased entry requirements for designated "orange" or medium-risk countries as of Jan. 12. Under the reduced restrictions, fully vaccinated individuals from designated countries can travel to the territory without a compelling reason and do not have to quarantine. However, entrants must adhere to tightened testing requirements. A complete list of designations is available here.

Authorities require inbound passengers 12 years old and above to obtain a negative COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours before departure to board flights; people aged 2 and above must take a COVID-19 test if traveling from or via the US. Authorities permit passengers to obtain a negative test result from a PCR test taken within 24 hours before departure, an antigen test within 24 hours and a PCR test taken 48 hours before departure, or an antigen test 24 hours before departure and a PCR test on arrival at their own expense.

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 within the past 11 days to six months. Officials require residents to receive a third vaccine dose five to seven 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 permits entry for fully vaccinated foreign nationals who have only visited "green" or orange locations in the previous 15 days for any reason. Authorities also allow travel from the US, despite its designation as a "red" or high-risk country. Travelers from the UK must have a compelling reason for entry, banning entry for tourist purposes. All other locations are "red" countries. Travelers who have visited a red country, except the US, or are unvaccinated must obtain a government-issued Boarding Authorisation Certificate before traveling to the territory. Country classifications can change at short notice, and officials encourage passengers to monitor changes before boarding 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 PCR test for all arrivals above six years old. People that test positive must quarantine at their own expense in Tahiti for seven days. Fully vaccinated passengers do not have to quarantine, though request that these entrants self-quarantine at their accommodations for 72 hours until receiving the result of an on-arrival test. Other inbound passengers must quarantine for 10 days at a facility of their choice and expense in Tahiti. 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 and orange 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