New Caledonia: Authorities extend commercial flight ban July 21 /update 7

Event

On Tuesday, July 21, New Caledonia's government extended the ban in place on most commercial flights due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic for another three months. Currently the government has permitted one flight a week from France via Japan, and may increase this up to three flights a week depending on quarantine capacity. It has also approved a flight every two weeks to and from Sydney. All other commercial flights are still suspended and those who do arrive are required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine period. Cruise ships and fishing vessels are still barred from entering New Caledonian waters, and whilst French-registered yachts are permitted, they have to advise authorities of their arrival and adhere to the 14-day quarantine measures.

Authorities announced that on June 15 that measures in place to limit the spread of the COVID-19, including restrictions on large gatherings and sporting events, were being lifted.

As of Wednesday, July 22, 22 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in New Caledonia, although there have been no associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures: