New Caledonia: COVID-19 international travel restrictions scheduled to continue until Oct. 30; vaccinated arrivals allowed shortened quarantine period. /update 8

Event

New Caledonian officials are continuing existing COVID-19 international travel controls as of June 16. Authorities plan to continue the restrictions until at least Oct. 30. Inbound international commercial passenger flights remain suspended, though authorities allow some repatriation and medical transport flights to and from Metropolitan France and Australia to operate. Cargo flights are operating normally. Only residents and citizens are allowed to enter New Caledonia and such individuals must apply for permission to return to the territory prior to inbound travel. All individuals traveling into New Caledonia from outside the territory must provide a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to scheduled travel.

All nonvaccinated arrivals are subject to 14-day quarantines at government-designated institutions. Arriving passengers who are fully vaccinated with either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are only required to quarantine for seven days after arrival. Authorities could approve shortened quarantine periods for arrivals who have completed other COVID-19 vaccine courses in the coming days and weeks.

Officials have lifted COVID-19-related domestic business and gathering controls in the territory; no significant restrictions are being enforced. Residents are still urged to wear facemasks in public areas as a precaution. Authorities will likely reimpose strict domestic controls if any community cases are discovered in the territory.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements as a precaution. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays.

Resources

Air Caledonie
Government of New Caledonia