15 Mar 2022 | 06:55 AM UTC
New Caledonia: Officials implementing reduced domestic COVID-19 restrictions as of March 15 /update 28
New Caledonia eases domestic COVID-19 measures as of March 15. Entry, quarantine controls continue for unvaccinated travelers.
Event
New Caledonia officials are implementing reduced COVID-19 domestic measures as of March 15. The government has lifted the 30-person gathering cap indoors and density limits for businesses. The minimum age for the ongoing indoor facemask mandate has increased from 11 to 18 years old. Authorities have also ended health pass requirements to enter most establishments; however, the condition remains to visit medical facilities.
The government has also reduced the self-quarantine period for COVID-19 cases from seven to five days for fully vaccinated people and children under 12 years old. People in these categories can exit quarantine once they have displayed little or no symptoms for 48 hours. Officials have also eased the requirement for unvaccinated individuals from 10 to seven days. Unvaccinated cases must spend at least five days in quarantine but can exit early by obtaining a negative COVID-19 test result and displaying no symptoms for 48 hours. Authorities have lifted quarantine requirements for close contacts. However, COVID-19 cases and close contacts must avoid public transport, wear facemasks in public, and avoid fragile populations for another seven days after leaving quarantine or confirmed as a close contact.
Domestic Measures
Outdoor events and demonstrations remain limited to 500 people. Individuals must obtain a health pass to enter medical establishments. Individuals must be fully vaccinated, test negative for COVID-19 in the previous 24 hours, or have received a positive COVID-19 test in the last 11 days to six months to receive a health pass. The government requires a third vaccine dose within four months of the second dose to maintain a health pass for people 18 years old and above. The requirement is two months for anyone that received a Janssen single-dose vaccine.
International Travel Restrictions
New Caledonia permits entry for travelers fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Janssen/Johnson and Johnson doses and unvaccinated minors 17 years old or younger. Unvaccinated travelers must prove a compelling reason for entry. Arrivals must provide a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours or antigen test taken 48 hours or less before departure. French nationals resident in other areas of the Pacific can transit the territory. All entrants age 12 and above must complete an entry application before travel.
Fully vaccinated entrants can enter the territory without quarantine or on-arrival testing. Unvaccinated entrants must take a COVID-19 test upon arrival if requested and undergo a seven-day self-quarantine period; nonresidents must arrange accommodations in advance. Most arrivals, excluding those 12 years old or under, must take another COVID-19 test before entering the community. Tests are available for free at pharmacies with a plane ticket. Authorities will extend quarantine for anyone that tests positive for COVID-19.
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.
