18 Apr 2022 | 07:04 AM UTC
Pacific: Nations and territories in South Pacific maintaining most COVID-19-related restrictions as of April 18 /update 67
South Pacific nations and territories maintaining COVID-19 restrictions as of April 18. Disruptions ongoing in some locations.
Event
Countries and territories in the South Pacific region are adjusting domestic and international restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As of April 18, planned or active controls include:
Federated States of Micronesia: A public health emergency declaration remains in effect through at least May 31. The government continues to ban all inbound flights, except for cargo deliveries. Authorities will resume preparation flights from April 6, but temporary suspensions of these flights can occur at short notice. Individuals must quarantine for five days in Guam and undergo testing before traveling to the country. Arrivals must quarantine for at least three days at government-designated facilities after arrival. Inbound commercial vessels must follow social distancing protocols and quarantine rules.
Guam: A public health emergency remains in place through at least May 3. Gatherings can occur for up to 250 people indoors; officials have ended group limits outdoors. Authorities allow all businesses and services to operate at full capacity, and the government has lifted all vaccination requirements for staff and patrons. Officials mandate facemasks in all public areas. All companies must maintain customer information for contact-tracing purposes. Only foreign nationals fully vaccinated with Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca/Covishield, Sinopharm, and Sinovac can enter the territory. Exceptions are possible for people under 18 years old; individuals with medical, humanitarian, or emergency exceptions; people with valid visas departing countries with limited vaccine availability; and foreign government officials. All travelers must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test or antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure. Alternatively, travelers can present proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the previous 90 days. The government has lifted quarantine requirements for inbound passengers.
Marshall Islands: Most inbound international travelers remain banned until further notice. Individuals wishing to enter the Marshall Islands must receive permission from authorities in advance. Travel between Kwajalein and Majuro remains limited to Air Marshall Islands (CW). The government has suspended nonessential outbound air travel until further notice; departing citizens must request a government exemption. Some US military personnel have entered with a three-week quarantine period. Authorities require all entrants to quarantine for 14 days. Entry for fishing vessels from countries or territories with COVID-19 activity, cruise ships, and private ships remains suspended, though officials permit stops for provisions. Cargo shipments are allowed, but vessels must stay at sea for 14 days before entry.
Nauru: Officials are allowing some essential international travel. Inbound passengers must spend 14 days in a designated safe country before entry; the designated countries include Taiwan and most Pacific countries. Officials are banning inbound passenger flights from Australia through early February. Arrivals must wear protective face coverings on inbound flights, complete a health declaration form, undergo checks for COVID-19 symptoms upon landing, and quarantine for at least five days at a designated residence under health observation before release. Aircrew members, medical workers, and transit passengers are exempt from the requirements. The government requires all commercial maritime crew to remain at sea for 14 days and provide documentation 12 hours before arrival; authorities will conduct COVID-19 tests onboard vessels; ships can only enter the port after test results become available. Air cargo operations are ongoing with quarantine measures for the crew.
Niue: Most foreign nationals remain banned from entry; however, exceptions are in place for fully vaccinated children, spouses, and other dependents of Niue residents, as well as for diplomats and essential workers. The government requires travelers to apply to enter the country. All inbound passengers must remain in New Zealand for two weeks before travel, provide evidence they were fully vaccinated, and obtain a negative COVID-19 test result 72 hours or less before departure. Nonresident foreigners must also hold travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation. Most international flights remain suspended; officials permit a flight from Auckland, New Zealand, once every two weeks for repatriation and essential personnel. Entrants must quarantine at government-designated facilities for 14 days and undergo COVID-19 testing on arrival and before exiting quarantine.
Northern Mariana Islands: The government is maintaining the Community Vulnerability Level at Green - the lowest level. Gatherings of over 150 people remain limited if participants are unvaccinated. Authorities require people that get COVID-19 to self-quarantine for five days and undergo testing before exiting. Only foreign nationals fully vaccinated with Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca/Covishield, Sinopharm, and Sinovac can enter the territory. Exceptions are possible for people under 18 years old; individuals with medical, humanitarian, or emergency exceptions; people with valid visas departing countries with limited vaccine availability; and foreign government officials. All travelers must complete a declaration at least 72 hours before arrival. Inbound passengers must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure. Alternatively, travelers can present proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the previous 90 days. Unvaccinated entrants must continue to self-quarantine at appropriate accommodations for five days and take a COVID-19 test on day 5.
Palau: Officials require individuals 12 years old and above to be fully vaccinated to enter the country. Inbound travelers three years old and above must present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours or a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure. Travelers can also show proof of recent recovery from COVID-19 and medical clearance for travel. Inbound passengers must undergo testing on arrival and day 4 after entry. Officials will also issue mitigation orders to travelers upon entry. Officials may issue quarantine orders for 14 days for people exposed to confirmed COVID-19 cases; authorities could quarantine other individuals for less time if present at exposure sites only. The government requires facemasks in all indoor public areas and outdoor gatherings of 20 or more people. Violators will face fines and/or imprisonment.
Tuvalu: Almost all commercial flights remain suspended. However, the government may approve sporadic repatriation flights. Inbound travelers are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine before entering the country.
Countries and territories will likely continue to adjust their response in the coming days and weeks, depending on COVID-19 activity within their borders and neighboring countries.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.
