New Caledonia: Officials impose nationwide lockdown measures through Sept. 20 due to COVID-19 activity /update 11

Event

New Caledonian officials are imposing nationwide lockdown restrictions through Sept. 20 due to COVID-19 activity. Individuals must remain in their homes, with exceptions for purchasing essential goods, medical reasons, receiving COVID-19 vaccination, and authorized work that cannot occur at home, amongst others. Workers must telecommute as much as possible. Individuals may exercise outdoors at a travel limit of 1 km (0.6 miles) from their residence. Inter-island flights and RAI interurban bus services remain suspended. Essential businesses like food stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, and financial services may continue to operate with health protocols in place. Recreational activities and non-essential establishments like bars and cinemas must close. Restaurants can only offer takeaway services. Gatherings are banned. Funerals may take place with up to ten people in attendance. Facemasks are mandatory in public areas.

International Travel Restrictions
Inbound international commercial passenger flights remain suspended through Dec. 31, though authorities allow some repatriation flights to and from France, Australia, and Japan. French nationals resident in other areas of the Pacific can transit through the territory. Cargo flights are operating normally.

Residents, citizens, and travelers approved for compelling reasons can enter New Caledonia; inbound travelers must apply for permission to return to the territory. All arrivals must provide a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before scheduled travel and complete a travel certificate. Unvaccinated passengers are subject to a 14-day quarantine period at government-designated accommodations. Travelers fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines or a combination of doses of AstraZeneca and an mRNA vaccine can quarantine for seven days. Reduced quarantine is also possible for people who have received one mRNA vaccine dose and prove a previous COVID-19 infection. Travelers must undergo another COVID-19 test at the end of the quarantine period before release.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all transport arrangements and required travel documents before traveling 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
Ministry of Interior (French)