09 May 2022 | 06:26 AM UTC
Vanuatu: Authorities ease restrictions in Shefa and Sanma provinces as of May 9 due to reduced COVID-19 activity /update 7
Officials in Vanuatu reduce COVID-19 restrictions in Shefa and Sanma provinces as of May 9. Other domestic measures ongoing.
Event
Vanuatuan authorities have eased COVID-19 restrictions in Shefa and Sanma provinces as of May 9. Officials have reduced the alert to Level 1 in Shefa Province, ending a facemask mandate in public areas and restrictions on gatherings and bars. The government also lowered the alert to Level 2 in Sanma; officials have lifted stay-at-home and curfew orders in the province.
Domestic Measures
People must wear facemasks in public and abide by social distancing measures in most locations nationwide. Officials have introduced fines of up to VUV 500,000 for businesses and VUV 100,000 for individuals that flout COVID-19 regulations. Alert Level 3 measures remain for Torba Province and Aneityum, Errongmango, Pentecost, and Tanna islands. Authorities encourage residents in the affected areas to stay at home for all but essential reasons. An 18:00-06:00 nightly curfew is in effect. Nonessential businesses and churches are closed, and social gatherings are banned. Travel between the islands and other areas of Vanuatu is restricted; exceptions are possible for medical treatment and cargo shipments and workers.
Public transport is operating under protocols and capacity limits. Authorities have allowed some domestic inter-island transport to resume. However, boats are limited to four passengers, and larger vessels and flights must follow government social distancing protocols. Transport operators are still curtailing services, and passenger transport disruptions are possible. Cargo shipments continue without restrictions.
International Travel Restrictions
A public health emergency remains in effect through at least July 31, and officials have banned inbound commercial international flights and cruise ships. However, repatriation and international cargo flights continue. Citizens from designated high-risk countries cannot enter until further notice. Fully vaccinated travelers from low- and medium-risk locations can enter the country with a COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours before departure. Officials require arriving passengers to quarantine for seven days, with a rapid antigen test within 24 hours. Travelers from Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, and New Zealand may quarantine for three days.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.
