07 Sep 2022 | 10:39 AM UTC
Pacific: Nations and territories in South Pacific maintaining most COVID-19-related restrictions as of Sept. 7 /update 74
South Pacific nations and territories maintaining COVID-19 restrictions as of Sept. 7. 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 Sept. 7, the following measures are in effect:
Guam: A public health emergency remains in place through at least Oct. 5. Most domestic restrictions have ended; however, facemasks remain mandatory in healthcare settings. 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 from countries with limited vaccine availability, and foreign government officials.
Marshall Islands: Authorities are maintaining National Conditional Level Red, the highest alert level, amid COVID-19 activity in Majuro and some neighboring islands. Officials require people to wear facemasks in public nationwide. The government is suspending travel to COVID-19 islands, though authorities are preparing for inter-island travel to resume for fully vaccinated travelers with a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) result. The Marshall Islands will open its border and end the Safe Travels registration requirement from Sept. 8. People five years old and above must be fully vaccinated, including a booster dose, if applicable. Officials will expand the vaccine mandate to children 6 months old and above from Oct. 1. Inbound passengers must undergo a RAT on arrival and self-quarantine for five days; travelers that test negative can enter the public if wearing facemasks. International airlines have resumed flights between Kwajalein and Majuro.
Niue: Officials have lowered the COVID-19 response to Alert Level Yellow, indicating cases are in the country, but community transmission is not occurring. However, alert levels and restrictions can change quickly. The government permits international travelers via flights from New Zealand. All inbound passengers must submit a Niue Traveller Declaration, provide evidence they were fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 in the previous three months, and obtain a negative COVID-19 test result within 48 hours before departure. Nonresident foreigners must also hold travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation. Entrants do not have to quarantine upon arrival. All inbound passengers must undergo COVID-19 PCR testing on days 1 and 3 after arrival. People that test positive for COVID-19 while in Niue must self-quarantine at their accommodation at their own expense.
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. Officials mandate facemasks at medical facilities and COVID-19 testing in some circumstances. 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. Authorities no longer require a health declaration or pre-departure testing. 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 18 years old and above to be fully vaccinated to enter the country. Inbound passengers must monitor their health for any COVID-19 symptoms, wear facemasks in public, and avoid large gatherings for the first four days after arrival. 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 schools, medical facilities, and all indoor gatherings of 50 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 for fully vaccinated passengers. The government has reduced the pre-departure quarantine in Suva, Fiji, to three days as of early September; however, arrivals must still undergo a 14-day quarantine upon entry. The government covers quarantine costs for returning citizens. Authorities plan to reduce pre-departure and on-arrival quarantine measures gradually from October.
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.
