2 Sep 2020

New Caledonia extends Covid-19 travel restrictions to March

9:25 am on 2 September 2020

New Caledonia has extended travel restrictions in and out of the territory because of the Covid-19 pandemic until 27 March.

Noumea airport at La Tontouta New Caledonia

Noumea airport at La Tontouta New Caledonia Photo: RNZ Walter Zweifel

President Thierry Santa said to stay Covid-19 free, flights would remain strictly limited and the two-week compulsory quarantine in government-run facilities would be continued.

Santa said there would be a weekly flight to France and some repatriation flights in the region, including to Vanuatu and French Polynesia.

He said travel was strongly discouraged because of the limits to quarantine facilities, and months could pass between the departure and a possible return.

Santa said a section of a hotel was being planned as a quarantine zone for experts needed for the economy but this option would not be funded by the taxpayer.

New Caledonia recorded no local transmission of Covid-19.