COVID-19 – MUST READ INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

AUSTRALIA

Due to the current COVID-19 situation in Australia, the following regulations and instructions apply to individuals needing to leave or enter Australia:

On 17 March 2020, Australian authorities advised all Australian citizens and permanent residents overseas, who wished to return to Australia, to do so as soon as possible by commercial means. Under the current travel ban, Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia cannot leave Australia unless they have an exemption for which individuals need to apply online and provide supporting documents as required.

Only Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents and their immediate family are currently allowed to enter Australia. Please check the information and instructions applicable to Australian citizens and permanent residents as well as information and instructions applicable to the immediate family of an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

All travellers arriving in Australia must undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities on arrival.​ Australian States and Territories are moving to a user pay system and will be charging for quarantine fees for all travellers. Further information on quarantine regulations and fees are available on the websites of the relevant Australian State and Territory concerned. Australian State and Territory health authorities will consider exemptions to the mandatory 14-day quarantine period on a case-by-case basis. Individuals meeting quarantine exemption criteria need to apply online with the Health Department of the relevant State or Territory.

Foreign nationals currently in Australia or needing to travel to or transit Australia must check the website of the Department of Home Affairs and apply for an exemption to come to Australia or transit Australia. Foreign nationals may also need to apply for an exemption to the 14-day mandatory quarantine period directly with the relevant Health Department of the Australian State or Territory. Foreign nationals seeking assistance with their Home Affairs or health quarantine exemptions must contact the relevant departments directly or seek consular assistance from their diplomatic representation in Australia.

Please note exemption processing can take time and we recommend submitting exemption applications as early as possible with relevant departments.

Please also note there are caps on the number of passengers coming into Australian airports from overseas to ease pressure on State and Territory quarantine facilities. Please check with your airline or travel agent if this could affect your flight into Australia.

For further information and assistance, please also contact your airline, cruise line or travel provider.

NEW CALEDONIA

Authorities in New Caledonia have lifted all COVID-19 restrictions applicable within New Caledonia.

New Caledonian borders remain closed to all non-residents, unless a specific exemption is granted from both the local Government and French State authorities. All commercial flights,  cruises and private yacht arrivals remain suspended. Entry to New Caledonia requires the joint approval of the French High Commission in New Caledonia and of the Government of New Caledonia.

Local authorities request people needing to travel to or return to New Caledonia to register their details on the Government’s website at formulaire de recensement (registration counting form). People wishing to come to or leave New Caledonia must also contact the sole airline currently flying to and from New Caledonia, Aircalin  ([email protected]), as well as the Government of New Caledonia ([email protected]) to seek further advice on requirements to be authorised to board planes to and from New Caledonia.

People needing  information and assistance on business or work related visits must also contact the Government of New Caledonia at [email protected]. Sailboats and other private vessels needing further information or assistance must contact the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in New Caledonia (MRCC NC) (email: [email protected] – phone: +687 29 21 21).

Australian citizens and permanent residents of Australia needing to travel overseas at this time require an exemption to travel from Australian Border Force. You must apply online and provide supporting documents as required. Please note exemption processing can take time and we recommend submitting exemption applications as early as possible with relevant departments.

All travellers arriving in New Caledonia must undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine at facilities designated by the Government of New Caledonia. Local authorities have advised quarantine in designated hotels will be covered by New Caledonia possibly until the end of 2020. For further information on quarantine measures, cost and payment, please check the website of the Government of New Caledonia and contact local authorities.

For further information on, and assistance with, entry and quarantine conditions to New Caledonia, please check the websites of the French High Commission in New Caledonia and of the Government of New Caledonia (including main facts in English). Please contact the nearest French diplomatic or consular mission  in Australia or the French diplomatic or consular mission in your country of residence for further advice. Please also contact your airline, cruise line, port agent or travel provider. 

Foreign nationals currently in New Caledonia who wish to travel to or transit through Sydney on an Aircalin flight must check the website of the Department of Home Affairs for the most up to date information regarding their situation, and apply for an exemption to come to Australia or transit Australia. All international arrivals transiting in Sydney, including Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia transiting to domestic flights, also need to apply for an exemption to the 14-day mandatory quarantine period to facilitate their onward travel directly with the New South Wales Department of Health. Quarantine periods may still apply upon arrival at your final destination, you should check this with relevant authorities in that jurisdiction before travelling. Certain Australian States have closed their borders to arrivals from New South Wales, this may also impact your proposed travel plans, you should check for the latest information on this with relevant State authorities. Travellers seeking assistance with their Home Affairs or Health quarantine exemptions must contact the relevant departments in Australia directly or seek consular assistance from their nearest diplomatic or consular mission in Australia. Please note exemption processing can take time and we recommend submitting exemption applications as early as possible with relevant departments. Please also note there are caps on the number of passengers coming into Australian airports from overseas and we recommend you check with your airline or travel agent if this could affect your flight into Australia.

Australian citizens and permanent residents of Australia, as well as Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada still in New Caledonia, seeking to return to Australia or Canada are encouraged to register their details with us at [email protected].

We encourage you to stay up to date with our New Caledonia Travel Advice on Smartraveller and monitor news on our Facebook page at L’AustralieEnNouvelleCaledonie.

FRENCH POLYNESIA

French Polynesia has reopened its borders to international travellers arriving by air, strict pre-departure and registration processes apply to be authorised to board a flight. French Polynesia has also lifted local quarantine measures on arrival; however, people are required to wear a facemask on public transport and in public premises and shops, fines apply for non-compliance. For further information, please check the website of the Health Department of French Polynesia and of the French High Commission in French Polynesia.

From 15 July 2020, travellers entering French Polynesia by air must submit the results of a COVID-19 test and register on the Government’s Electronic Travel Information System (ETIS) website at least within 3 days (72 hours) before their flight.

Sailboats and other vessels seeking to come to French Polynesia must contact the Joint Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in French Polynesia (JRCC PF) (email: [email protected] – phone: +689 40 54 16 16) for advice on entry conditions to French Polynesia by sea.

For further information on requirements to enter French Polynesia, including strict pre-departure processes and timeframes, please check the French High Commission’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and the website of the Ministry of Health of French Polynesia. Please also contact the nearest French diplomatic or consular mission in Australia or the French diplomatic or consular mission in your country of residence for further advice. Please also contact your airline, cruise line, port agent or travel provider. 

Australian citizens and permanent residents of Australia needing to travel overseas at this time require an exemption to travel from Australian Border Force. You must apply online and provide supporting documents as required. Please note exemption processing can take time and we recommend submitting exemption applications as early as possible with relevant departments.

We encourage Australian citizens and permanent residents of Australia, as well as Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada, still in French Polynesia and seeking to return to Australia or Canada to examine commercial flights in the first instance. Please also note there are caps on the number of passengers coming into Australian airports from overseas and we recommend you check with your airline or travel agent if this could affect your flight into Australia. If you are in need of specific consular assistance in order to depart French Polynesia, you can contact us at [email protected].

Please note the Australian Consulate-General in Noumea is unable to travel to French Polynesia to provide Australian passport and notarial services at this time due to COVID-19 restrictions. We continue to work with relevant transport providers and local authorities on options to assist persons in need of these services. If you require Australian passport or notarial services, please contact us at [email protected].

We encourage you to stay up to date with our French Polynesia Travel Advice on Smartraveller and monitor news on our Facebook page at L’AustralieEnNouvelleCaledonie.