Kiribati: Officials end curfew nationwide, reduce quarantine time as of June 22 /update 6

Event

Authorities in Kiribati have ended curfews nationwide as of June 22 amid reduced COVID-19 activity. The government has also lowered the quarantine period for inbound international arrivals from seven to three days at designated facilities. People that test positive during this time must quarantine for at least seven days and receive a negative test result. Officials also now require inbound passengers to obtain a COVID-19 test within 24 hours before departure.

Domestic Measures
The country remains under Alert Level 3, the highest on a five-tier scale. Gatherings of up to 50 people can occur outdoors. Facemasks are mandatory at most indoor locations and on public transport.

Public transport is operating with seated customers only, reducing capacity. Travel between Tarawa and outer islands without COVID-19 cases can occur; passengers must undergo testing and self-quarantine before departure, quarantine for three days at the destination, and obtain a negative test result before entering the community.

International Travel Restrictions
International commercial flights remain suspended. However, the government permits fully vaccinated Kiribati nationals and essential workers to enter the country via South Tarawa. All other ports of entry remain closed. Inbound passengers must undergo a COVID-19 test on arrival and before exiting quarantine. Authorities plan to resume international travel from Aug. 1.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm business appointments, deliveries, work, and travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.