New Caledonia: Officials to relax some COVID-19 curbs from Oct. 25. Stay-home orders in place during weekends through Nov. 1 /update 17

Event

New Caledonia will allow the reopening of some recreational venues like cinemas and the resumption of public transport from Oct. 25 for those holding health passes. Heightened controls to curb COVID-19 activity will be in place 14:00 Oct. 23-05:00 Oct. 25, as well as 14:00 Oct. 30-05:00 Nov. 1. Under these restrictions, all residents must stay home except for essential needs, emergencies, employment that requires on-site presence, and permitted activities. Exemptions are possible for funerals and religious events; individuals may also exercise for up to an hour daily within one kilometer of their residence. Those leaving their homes must carry a travel certificate.

Other territory-wide measures are also active until further notice. A 22:00-05:00 nightly curfew is in place; exceptions are possible for those holding travel certificates and/or documentation for work, emergencies, and travel to La Tontouta International Airport (NOU). Outside of curfew hours, travel certificates are not required for the aforementioned reasons, as well as to exercise for up to three hours daily within ten kilometers of one's residence. Health passes are mandatory to undertake inter-island and other air or sea domestic travel, use dine-in services, or enter sports facilities and museums. Those without a pass may still visit essential stores and use local transport and food takeaway services. Gatherings, including sports activities, weddings, funerals, and religious ceremonies, are permitted with up to 15 people. Bars, cinemas, swimming pools, casinos, and dancing halls remain closed. Workers must telecommute as much as possible. Businesses must operate with health protocols and capacity limits. Retail outlets may allow one person per eight square meters.

International Travel Restrictions
New Caledonia continues to ban most travelers from entering the territory. Inbound commercial passenger flights remain suspended through Dec. 31; authorities allow repatriation flights to and from France, Australia, and Japan. Residents, citizens, and travelers approved for compelling reasons can enter New Caledonia but must apply for permission. French nationals who are residents in other areas of the Pacific can transit through the territory. Cargo flights are operating normally.

All arrivals must provide a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure 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 a 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.

Authorities have increased security to enforce lockdown orders; checkpoints are in place, especially during curfew hours. Demonstrations against the extension of restrictions are possible, particularly in Noumea and other main towns. Officials will likely disperse any protests that violate gathering restrictions.

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. Avoid all demonstrations as a standard precaution.

Resources

Air Caledonie
Government of New Caledonia
Ministry of Interior (French)