9 Dec 2020

New Caledonia records new Covid-19 case at the border, taking total to 36

4:57 pm on 9 December 2020

New Caledonia has recorded a new case of Covid-19 at its border, taking its toll since the beginning of the pandemic to 36.

Seat of government in Noumea

A new case of Covid-19 detected at New Caledonia's border has been moved to an isolation unit at the hospital. Photo: RNZ Walter Zweifel

The individual has been transferred to the special isolation unit at the hospital.

There are 286 people currently sitting out their border quarantine period in hotels.

Over 18,000 Covid-19 tests have been carried out since testing began in mid-March.

There is currently no community transmission in New Caledonia.

Meanwhile, New Caledonia President Thierry Santa and French High Commissioner Laurent Prévost have authorised police currently in border quarantine to leave the quarantine centres today, following tests to prove their Covid-19 status.

The officers have been in quarantine since they arrived in New Caledonia from France on 27 November.

The decision to shorten the officers' quarantine period is due to the current high levels of unrest in the territory in connection with the sale of the Vale nickel plant.

Protestors opposing the sale of the Brazilian-owned mining company to Prony Resources, a consortium comprising of Swiss-based Trafigura and various New Caledonian backers, have erected roadblocks and clashed with police in the Southern province.

Last night a petrol station in Mont Dore, just south of the capital Noumea, was set alight.

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