3 Sep 2021

Tahiti lockdown extended to September 20

11:46 am on 3 September 2021

The lockdown in French Polynesia will be extended by 15 days, to September 20.

The French High Commissioner Dominique Sorain says it's necessary due to the gravity of the latest Covid-19 outbreak.

The lockdown and an accompanying curfew apply to the Society Islands and to an increasing number of atolls in the Tuamotus.

An exterior view of the French Polynesia Taaone Hospital in Papeete. - The coronavirus seemed to have almost disappeared from French Polynesia between March and July. But with the Delta variant, it returned with unprecedented violence, saturating the Tahiti hospital centre within a month.

An exterior view of the French Polynesia Taaone Hospital in Papeete. - The coronavirus seemed to have almost disappeared from French Polynesia between March and July. But with the Delta variant, it returned with unprecedented violence, saturating the Tahiti hospital centre within a month. Photo: AFP or licensors

More than 200 people have died of Covid-19 in the past two weeks while the number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care has grown to 58.

With almost all fatalities recorded among the unvaccinated, Sorain again implored the public to get a jab, saying there is plenty of vaccine and more will be shipped.

He says extra medical staff from France will continue to arrive over the next few days.

Sorain said in addition, 40 firefighters and military personnel will be flown in to assist in the vaccination effort.

He also said Paris will extend financial support to businesses hit by the lockdown, pointing out that since the start of the pandemic $US230m has been made available.

Sorain said far too many people keep defying the restrictions and leave home without having a valid reason.

He said it is unacceptable for a family of four to drive to a shop to buy a baguette, adding that it isn't possible to have a policeman behind every person.