New Caledonia: Officials slightly ease COVID-19 measures from Nov. 2 /update 19

Event

New Caledonia has slightly eased COVID-19 measure territorywide as of Nov. 2. Authorities have lifted restrictions on movement, and ground public transport has resumed. Officials have also ended the travel certificate requirement. A 22:00-05:00 nightly curfew remains in place; exceptions are possible for those holding documentation for work, emergencies, and travel to La Tontouta International Airport (NOU). Gatherings, including sports activities, weddings, funerals, and religious ceremonies, are permitted, up to 15 people.

Businesses must operate with health protocols and capacity limits. Workers must telecommute as much as possible. Retail outlets must restrict capacity to one person per eight square meters (86 square feet). Some recreational venues, dine-in service at restaurants, sports facilities, and cultural buildings, and public transportation are open for those holding health passes. Bars, performance halls, swimming pools, casinos, and dancing halls remain closed. Individuals without a pass may still visit essential stores and use local transport and food takeaway services.

Health passes are also mandatory for inter-island and other domestic air or sea travel. Domestic flights remain mostly suspended; Air Caledonie (TY) is maintaining a flight suspension until at least Nov. 14. However, TY will operate a few routes on an irregular basis.

Officials have issued heightened controls, including stay-at-home orders and gathering bans, due to COVID-19 concerns. Such measures remain possible in the coming weeks, depending on COVID-19 activity, and could occur at short notice. Increased security is likely when lockdown orders are in effect.

Demonstrations against the extension of restrictions or vaccination mandates are possible, particularly in Noumea and other main towns. Activists could block roads in some locations, leading to localized transport disruptions. Officials will likely disperse any protests that violate gathering restrictions.

International Travel Restrictions
Residents, citizens, and approved travelers can enter New Caledonia. The government continues to ban most travelers from entering the territory, and inbound commercial passenger flights remain suspended through Dec. 31. Authorities allow 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.

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 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.

The French government has lifted a requirement for travelers to have a compelling reason to enter the territory as of Nov. 1, but it is unclear when the local government will implement the measure. Inbound travelers must be fully vaccinated, undergo testing on arrival, and quarantine at a hotel or home for seven days once the changes take place.

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)