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.

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

 

NEW CALEDONIA

Travelling to New Caledonia

On 19 March 2020, the French High Commission in New Caledonia issued an official statement on the categories of foreign nationals allowed to enter New Caledonia as non-residents. The statement advises the regulation does not apply to foreign nationals holding a long-stay visa entitling them to request a stay permit on arrival in New Caledonia, if they are married to a French national or if they are parents of a minor French child. Please note French authorities require overseas travellers going to French overseas territories, to carry an international movement certificate for travel to the French overseas communities as well as a sworn declaration whereby travellers confirm they do not have symptoms of COVID-19. The certificate and the statement are to be presented to the airline before boarding, as well as to border control authorities. Relevant forms and information are available on the website of the French Ministry for the Interior. For further information on and assistance with entry conditions to New Caledonia, please contact the French representations in Australia or the French representation in your country of residence.

In country restrictions

On 15 June 2020, New Caledonian authorities lifted all COVID-19 restrictions applicable within New Caledonia. However, New Caledonian borders remain closed to all non-residents and all commercial flights and cruise arrivals remain suspended.

New Caledonia currently operates Aircalin cargo flights to and from Sydney which can be open to passengers under certain conditions. For information on Aircalin flights to and from New Caledonia open to passengers, please check New Caledonia’s Repatriation and Departure Information and follow the instructions of local authorities on how to register for incoming and outbound Aircalin flights. All travellers arriving in New Caledonia must undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine at facilities designated by the Government of New Caledonia.

Leaving New Caledonia

Foreign nationals currently in New Caledonia and needing to travel to or transit in Sydney on Aircalin flights must check the website of the Department of Home Affairs and apply for an exemption to come to Australia or transit Australia. Foreign nationals transiting in Sydney also need to apply for an exemption to the 14-day mandatory quarantine period directly with the Health Department of New South Wales. Foreign nationals seeking assistance with their Home Affairs or NSW Health quarantine exemptions must contact the relevant departments in Australia 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.

More information

For further information, including in English (Main facts), please check the website of the Government of New Caledonia. For further information and assistance, please also contact your airline, cruise line or travel provider. 

Australians citizens and permanent residents of Australia as well as Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada still in New Caledonia and 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.

 

FRENCH POLYNESIA

French Polynesia has eased COVID-19 measures and still recommends to follow good hygiene practices, social distancing and to wear a mask when social distancing cannot be respected. For further information, please check the website of the Health Department of French Polynesia.

From 3 to 14 July 2020, commercial flights from Paris to Papeete will be open under strict processes only to residents, students and individuals with a compelling reason to travel to French Polynesia. Passengers arriving in French Polynesia will undertake a mandatory 7-day quarantine at home or at designated facilities and will be monitored by local authorities.

From 15 July 2020, local quarantine measures on arrival will be lifted and French Polynesian borders will reopen to international travellers arriving by air or sea. Strict pre-departure processes and timeframes will continue to apply to all travellers.

For further information on requirements to enter French Polynesia from 1 July 2020, please check the French High Commission’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Please note French authorities require overseas travellers going to French overseas territories, to carry an international movement certificate for travel to the French overseas communities as well as a sworn declaration whereby travellers confirm they do not have symptoms of COVID-19. The certificate and the statement are to be presented to the airline before boarding, as well as to border control authorities. Relevant forms and information are available on the website of the French Ministry for the Interior. For further information on and assistance with entry conditions to French Polynesia, please contact the French representations in Australia or the French representation in your country of residence.

Please contact your airline, cruise line or travel provider for further information. 

Australians 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 are encouraged to register their details with 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 stage due to COVID-19 restrictions on international transport options. We continue to work with relevant providers and authorities for when all travel and airfreight restrictions will be totally lifted. We will provide any further update on a possible visit to French Polynesia on our Facebook page at L’AustralieEnNouvelleCaledonie.

We encourage you to stay up to date with our French Polynesia Travel Advice on Smartraveller.