SEARCH AND RESCUE CENTERS SAR WORLDWIDE
SEARCH AND RESCUE CENTERS SAR WORLDWIDE
https://sarcontacts.info/
Search and Rescue (SAR)
When should I contact SAR
If you are in distress or need to report an emergency, do NOT send it via email, contact the Coast Guard via telephone or radio. The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) provides a number of additional means for contacting or alerting SAR authorities.
Vessels an emergency and need of Coast Guard assistance should use: VHF-FM Channel 16 (156.8 MHz), dial 911.
SAR will respond immediately to your or a Mayday call, and may also notify state and local search and rescue units in your vicinity. The Coast Guard will also transmit an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast over marine-band VHF-FM radio Channel 16, notifying all vessels in the area of your emergency.
MAYDAY
Make a Mayday call if a vessel or person is in grave and imminent danger and immediate assistance is required. For lesser emergencies, a “Pan-Pan” or “Sécurité” may be appropriate.
• Check that your VHF radio is on and high power setting is selected:
Select Channel 16 (or 2182kHz for MF)
• Press the transmit button and say slowly and clearly:
“MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY”
“THIS IS… ”
(say the name of your vessel 3 times. Say your MMSI number and call sign)
“MAYDAY, THIS IS…”
(say name of vessel)
“MY POSITION IS…”
(latitude and longitude, true bearing and distance from a known point, or general direction)
“I AM…”
(say nature of distress e.g., SINKING, ON FIRE)
“I REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE”
“I HAVE…”
(say number of persons on board PLUS any other useful information – such as sinking, flares fired, abandoning to liferaft)
“OVER”
• Now release transmit button and listen for reply
• Keep listening to Channel 16 for instructions
• If you hear nothing then repeat the distress call
Vessels with GMDSS equipment should make a MAYDAY call by voice on Ch 16 or MF 2182 kHz after sending a DSC Distress alert on VHF Ch 70 or MF 2187.5 kHz
DSC Radio Emergency Procedure
• In an emergency, press the DSC radio’s red button for 15 seconds and then transmit a voice message on Channel 16.
• Prepare for sending/receiving subsequent distress traffic on the distress traffic frequency (2182 kHz on MF, Ch16 on VHF)
• NOTE: The nature of distress can be selected from the DSC radio receiver’s menu.
PAN-PAN
(pronounced pahn-pahn) used to signal urgent information, like when someone has fallen overboard, or a boat is drifting into shore or a busy shipping channel.
Organization and Management
○ SAR System Concept
○ Benefits of Services
○ Global, National, Regional Systems
○ Components of SAR System
○ SAR as a System
○ Rescue Co-ordination Center and Sub-Centers
○ Training, Qualification, & Certification of SAR Professionals
○ Building Professionals – Training, Qualification, Certification
○ Exercising Capability
○ SAR Communications
○ Basic Functions and Requirements
○ Co-ordination of components of the SAR System
○ SAR System Management & Organizational Improvement
○ Planning and Resource
○ Assessment, Analysis, and Implementation
○ DOTMLPF Analysis 2
SAR System Concept
○ Why Provide SAR?
○ Benefits of SAR Services
○ International SARAgencies
○ International SAR Documents
○ Global SAR Concept
○ National and Regional Systems
DUTY TO ASSIST
VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT HAVE A DUTY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO OTHER VESSELS, AIRCRAFT OR PERSONS IN DISTRESS WITHOUT REGARD TO LOCATION NATIONALITY OR CIRCUMSTANCES
Benefits of SAR Services
○ Reduction of loss of life and suffering
○ Safe/Secure environment for maritime related industries, commerce, recreation,
and travel
○ Resource for initial response during natural disasters as integrated into
national emergency management system
○ Positive publicity about responses to SAR events
○ Method of promoting co-operation between States
○ Legal basis – as a party to the International Convention for the Safety of
Life at Sea (SOLAS) – State provided SAR
International SAR Agencies
○ International Maritime Organization (IMO)
○ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
○ Focus on SAFETY
○ Develop global SAR plans, procedures, techniques and training for SAR
○ Both envision a “patchwork” of SAR Regions (SRRs) encompassing globe
with rescue coordination centers responsible for assigned SRRs
Basic SAR System Functions
○ Receive, acknowledge, and relay distress alerts
○ Coordinate SAR response
○ Conduct SAR operations
○ The SAR System cannot be organized and effective without management and support
SAR System Management & Support
○ SAR System Managers must understand…
○ the fundamentals of the system they are managing;
○ their own basic responsibilities and functions;
○ key types of SAR plans and planning processes; and
○ how to begin with available resources and economically improve the system
Basic Requirements
○ Basic requirements for developing an effective SAR
system include:
○ legislative establishment of the SAR services arrangements for use
of all available resources, and provision of others if necessary;
○ establishing geographic areas of responsibility with associated
RCCs and RSCs;
○ staffing, training, and other personnel support to manage and operate
the system;
○ adequate and functioning communications capabilities; and
○ agreements, plans and related documents, to achieve goals and define
working relationships.
Global SAR Concept
○ Eliminates the need for each State to provide SAR services for its
own citizens wherever they travel world-wide
○ The globe is divided into SRRs, each with associated SAR services
which assist anyone in distress within the SRR without regard to
nationality or circumstances
National and Regional Systems
○ A regional approach can reduce cost and improve distribution of distress alerts,
coverage and services.
○ States can sometimes support each other with SRUs to reduce the total number of
units needed for adequate coverage and readiness.
○ Establishment of national or regional SAR systems is typically basedon
development of multilateral national or regional plans, agreements, etc.
○ Usually provides for;
○ effective use of all available resources for SAR;
○ delineation of SRRs,
○ description of relationships between the parties
SAR and the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols
○ ln times of armed conflict, SAR services will normally continue to be
provided in accordance with the Second Geneva Convention of 1949
○ The SAR services recognized by their Administrations are afforded
protection for their humanitarian missions
○ Coastal installations should, in time of armed conflict, display the distinctive
emblem (red cross or red crescent)
○ Parties to a conflict notify the other Parties with the name, description and
locations (or area of activity) of their above-mentioned rescue craft and coastal
installations in the area they are located
Communications
○ Good communications are essential
○ They should promptly provide the RCC with alerting information
permitting the RCC to dispatch SRUs and other resources to search
areas without delay and to maintain two way contact with the persons in
distress.
Main Functions SAR Communications
○ Receipt of alerts from equipment used by persons in distress
○ Exchange of information with persons in distress, and among the SAR
Mission Coordinator (SMC), OSC and SAR facilities for coordination of
responses to SAR incidents
○ Direction Finding (DF) and homing which allow SRUs to be dispatched to
the vicinity of the distress and to home on signals from equipment used by
survivors
Alerting Posts
○ Any facility involved in receiving information about an apparent distress situation and
relaying it to an RCC or RSC
○ They include facilities such as air traffic services (ATS) units or coast radio stations (CRSs)
○ Communications may or may not be the primary purpose for the alerting post, but post must
be able to forward the distress information to theRCC
○ The ability of an RCC to act quickly and effectively when an emergency occurs depends
largely on the information forwarded to it by alerting posts
Locating
○ Locating capabilities enable the responding SAR facilities to minimize the search
time and to get to the actual position of distress for rescue
○ Most civil aircraft operating over ocean areas and remote land areas, and many
other aircraft, are required to carry an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)
○ Ships and some other craft are required to carry emergency position-
indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) capable of transmitting signals.
○ Having a very precise search object position is useful but does not eliminate
the need for SRU homing capabilities
SAR Coordination
○ Communications among SAR facilities will depend on local agreements and
the organization of the SAR services in the SRR and on the equipment
available
○ RCCs normally assign a SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC) to
handle a SAR incident
○ Communications to and from RCCs and RSCs should be as timely and
reliable as possible and sufficient to handle the total diversity and volume
of needs for the worst potential scenarios
Rescue Coordination Center (RCC)
○ The RCC is an operational facility responsible for promoting efficient
organization of SAR services and for coordinating the conduct of SAR
operations within an SRR
○ SAR managers should ensure that the RCC is familiar with the
capabilities of all of the facilities available for SAR in its SRR
Joint Search and Rescue Centers (JSRC)
○ Can be established at minimal cost by combining aeronautical and maritime RCCs
○ Staffing would be determined by the responsible agencies and could include “joint” staffing by more than one agency
○ Benefits in fewer facilities to establish or maintain
○ Reduced cost
○ Less complexity for alerting posts in forwarding distress alerts
○ Better coordination and sharing
○ A coastal State may have a MRCC but not be able to be provided with anARCC
○ Properly established, the JRCC may improve SAR service
performance in most areas
Purpose and Requirements
○ ICAO’s Annex 12 and the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue require that SAR providers establish an RCC for each SRR.
○ The RCC must have certain basic capabilities before it is recognized as having responsibility for an SRR.
RCC Required Capability
○ 24-hour availability trained persons
○ Persons with a working knowledge of the English language
○ Charts which apply to the SRR:
○ Aeronautical, nautical, topographic andhydrographic
○ Means of plotting
○ Ability to receive distress alerts
○ Immediate communications with associated:
○ ATS units and RSCs
○ DF and position-fixing stations associated CRSs
○ Rapid and reliable communications with:
○ Parent agencies of SRUs and RCCs
○ Designated meteorological offices
○ Employed SRUs
○ Alerting posts
○ Plans of operation
○ Ability to coordinate medial advice and assistance
RCC Desired Capability
○ Wall chart depicting SRR, SRSs, and neighboring SRRs, and SAR resources
○ Computer resources
○ Databases
○ Vessel tracking information / systems
Facilities and Equipment
Communications
○ An RCC should be located where it can effectively perform its functions within its SRR
○ Communications needs can sometimes be met by ATS channels, public services,
or installation of an lNMARSAT earth station
○ Reliable dedicated lines which can preserve message priority are preferred
○ One telephone line should have an unlisted, confidential number to ensure the
availability of one out-going line in situations where there are many incoming telephone
calls
○ All voice equipment, including telephones, should be attached to a multichannel
tape recorder, preferably with a time recording
Facilities and Equipment
Information
○ Ready access to operational information will help the SMC take immediate and
appropriate action in an emergency
○ Much of this information derives from the RCC plan of operations and SAR databases
○ Use of large-scale wall charts showing assigned SRRs and locations of
resources
○ SAR facility status board or computer file reflecting the current status of all SAR
facilities telephone numbers, and other useful information, is practical
○ The chart or map should also show areas adjacent to the SRR.
○ The map could display, by means of colored pins or other symbols, information of interest.
Facilities and Equipment
Plotting Facilities
○ The RCC and RSC should have a stock of maritime and aeronautical maps and charts, plotting equipment,
and other information necessary for their use.
Publications and supplies
○ The publications and supplies to be available at the RCC shouldinclude:
○ SAR publications of ICAO, IMO, the national and neighboring SARauthorities;
○ relevant State documents, e.g., Air Navigation Regulations and Notices toMariners and, if considered necessary, those of
adjacent States;
○ communications publications;
○ aeronautical information publications (AIPs);
○ indexes of names, addresses, telephone and facsimile numbers; and
○ relevant checklists and forms
Staffing
○ RCC Chief
○ RCC chief may be a person who also performs other functions
○ Must make appropriate preparations, plans, and arrangements
○ Ensure that when an incident occurs the SAR operation can be performed.
○ RCC Staff
○ The RCC staff consists of personnel who are trained and capable of planning and coordinating SAR
operations.
○ If the RCC staff has duties besides SAR, the additional functions should be considered when
determining the staffing needs.
○ Number of personnel required will vary with local requirements, traffic density,
seasonal conditions, meteorological conditions and other SRRconditions.
○ An RCC must be in a constant state of operational readiness.
○ Where the RCC does not maintain continuous staffing, or only has one trained and capable RCC
person on duty, provision must be made forstand- by RCC staff to be mobilized rapidly.
SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC)
○ A SMC should be designated for each specific SAR operation, and adequate numbers of
personnel qualified to perform the SMC function must be readily available on a 24 hour basis.
○ This is a temporary function which may be performed by the RCC chief or a designated SAR
duty officer
○ SMC is in charge of a SAR operation until a rescue has been effected or untilit has become
apparent that further efforts would be of no avail.
○ SMC is responsible for planning the search and coordinating the transitof SRUs to the scene.
○ The number of persons to be available for assignment as SMC will dependon:
○ possible need to coordinate operations from a location other than the RCC, e.g.,
from available communications facilities;
○ expected frequency of SAR incidents, including the possibility of more thanone incident occurring
simultaneously
○ size of the area and prevailing conditions (e.g., climate or topography)
○ need to allow for vacation, training courses, illness, relief and travel
Training, Qualification, Certification
○ RCC chiefs, SMCs, and RCC staff need specific training in watch standing,
coordination of assorted resources, search planning, and rescue planning.
○ SAR Managers have the responsibility to ensure that the overall training program is
effective and ensure that all SAR service personnel reach and maintain the
required level of competence.
○ Qualification and Certification processes are used to ensure that sufficient
experience, maturity and judgement are gained.
○ The individual must, by demonstration of abilities, show mental and
physical competence to perform as part of a team.
○ Certification is official recognition by the organization that it trusts the individual
to use those abilities.
Plans of Operation
○ Each RCC and RSC should develop plans that:
○ Meet the requirements of applicable international SAR
manuals
○ Cover all the emergency scenarios likely to occur within the
SRR
○ Are reviewed and updated regularly
○ Are in a convenient form for quick and easy use
Rescue Sub Centers
○ There may be situations where an RCC is not able to exercise direct
and effective control over SAR facilities in an area within its SRR.
The establishment of an RSC with its SRS may be appropriate.
Examples of such situations include:
○ Where the communications facilities in a portion of an SRR are not adequate
for close co-ordination between the RCC and SAR facilities;
○ Where the SRR encompasses a number of States or territorial divisions of a
State in which, for political or administrative reasons, local facilities can only be
directed and controlled through designated local authorities
○ Where local control of SAR operations will be more effective
SAR Facilities
○ SAR facilities include designated SRUs and other resources which can be
used to conduct or support SAR operations.
○ Facilities selected as SRUs should be able to reach the scene of distress
quickly and, in particular, be suitable for one or more of the following
operations:
○ providing assistance to prevent or reduce the severity of accidents andthe hardship of
survivors, such as escorting an aircraft,
○ standing by a sinking vessel;
○ conducting a search;
○ delivering supplies and survival equipment to the scene;
○ rescuing survivors
○ providing food, medical or other initial needs of survivors; and
○ delivering the survivors to a place of safety.
Equipment Needed By SRU
○ Communications
○ Mobility
○ Supplies and Survival Equipment
○ Other required equipment as determined
Search and Rescue Unit
○ Designated SRU
○ SRUs need not be dedicated solely to SAR operations, but should have the
training and equipment necessary for proficient operations.
○ Specialized SAR Units
○ Specialized SRUs are teams with specialized training and equipment created
for specific rescue scenarios; such as mountain or desert rescue
Search and Rescue Unit
○ Other SAR Facilities
○ Existing facilities often may be suitable for SAR operations with minimal modifications,
added equipment or additional crew training.
○ Examples include: teaching look-out scanning techniques to volunteers and auxiliary
organizations; installing radiotelephone equipment on fishing vessels, yachts and other
small craft; and using isolated stations as alerting posts. By providing training, installing
some low-cost equipment and integrating all facilities into the SAR system
○ Medical Advice andAssistance
○ Maritime telemedical assistance service (TMAS)
On Scene Coordinator (OSC)
○ When two or more SAR facilities are working together on the same
mission, it is usually advantageous if one person is assigned to co-ordinate
the activities of all participating facilities.
○ The SMC designates this OSC, who may be the person in charge of an
SRU, ship, or aircraft participating in a search, or someone at another
nearby facility able to handle OSC duties.
○ Usually the first to arrive on scene
○ May perform duties as the SMC
Support Facilities
○ Support facilities enable the operational response resources
(e.g., the RCC and SRUs) to provide the SAR services.
○ There is a wide range of support facilities and services, which
include the following:
○ Training facilities Facility maintenance
○ Communications facilities Management functions
○ Navigation systems Research and development
○ SAR data providers (SDPs) Planning
○ Medical assistance Exercises
○ Aircraft landing fields Refuelling services
Voluntary services (e.g., Red Cross) Critical incident stress counsellors
Training should include at least the following topics
○ Aeronautical drift
○ AFN (Aeronautical Fixed Network)
○ AFTN (Aeronautical Fixed Telecom Network)
○ Bailout scenarios and planning
○ Briefing/questioning SRUs
○ Case studies
○ Charts
○ Coastal SAR planning
○ Computer applications
○ Cospas—Sarsat
○ Datum marker buoys
○ Datum determination
○ Dealing with public and news media
○ Dealing with families
○ Documentation of incidents
○ Electronic sweep width
○ Emergency care
○ Environmental factors
○ Evaluation of flare sightings
○ Fatigue factors
○ Inmarsat
○ International aspects
○ Interviewing techniques
○ Leeway drift
○ Legal concerns
○ Look-out skills and limitations
○ Maneuvering boards
○ Medical advice
○ Obtain and evaluate data
○ On-scene coordinator duties
○ Parachute drift
○ Plotting skills
○ Registration databases
○ Rescue procedures
○ Resource allocation
○ Risk assessment
○ SAR agreements
○ SAR communications
○ SAR mission co-ordination
○ SAR operations conclusion
○ SAR phases, stages, and components
○ SAR resource capabilities
○ SAR system organization
○ SAR technology
○ Search areas
○ Search patterns
○ Search planning
○ Ship reporting systems for SAR
○ SRU selection
○ Stress management
○ Survival equipment
○ Vessel Tracking system
○ Visual sweep width
○ Water currents
Available Technology
○ Mobile Communications Equipment
○ Emergency Distress Comm Devices
○ Emergency Locator Transmitter (ETL) – 121.5 MHz
○ Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB)
○ Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) – 406 MHz
○ Global Positioning System (GPS)
○ GADSS
○ Space Based ADS-B
Available Technology
○ SRU Comms Equipment
○ Direction Finding (DF) capability
○ Line od Position (LOP)
Available Technology
○ Land-Based Infrastructure
○ Alerting Post
○ SAR Communications Network
○ SAR Data Providers
○ GMDSS Master Plan
○ Ship Reports for SAR
○ Supplemental Capabilities
○ Instant-replay Recording Equipment
○ Caller Identification
○ MEDICO communications
○ Social media
ICAO’s Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS)
AIRCRAFT TRACKING
AUTONOMUS DISTRESS TRACKING
AUTONOMUS TRANSMISSION EVERY MINUTE
LOCALIZE SITE WITHIN 6 NM
5 SECOND LATENCY
Four stages of escalation:
• Normal Operation
• Abnormal Operation
• Distress Tracking
• Response & Recovery
SAR Communications
○ Maintain a continuous watch on the following international frequencies, if equipped to do so:
○ 2,182 kHz (radiotelephony)
○ 156.8 MHz FM (channel 16, radiotelephony) for vessel distress
○ 121.5 MHz AM (radiotelephony) for AC distress or beacon distresssignals
○ SOLAS communications equipment is referred to as Global Maritime Distress and
Safety System (GMDSS) equipment:
○ Inmarsat ship earth stations
○ VHF, MF, and HF digital selective calling (DSC) radios
○ maritime safety information receivers like NAVTEX and SafetyNET
○ hand-held VHF equipment
○ emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs, ELT, PLB 406 MHz)
○ search and rescue radar transponders (SARTs)
○ AIS search and rescue transmitters (AIS-SARTs)
SAR Communications
○ Maintain a continuous watch on the following international frequencies, if equipped to do so:
○ 2,182 kHz (radiotelephony)
○ 156.8 MHz FM (channel 16, radiotelephony) for vessel distress
○ 121.5 MHz AM (radiotelephony) for AC distress or beacon distresssignals
○ SOLAS communications equipment is referred to as Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) equipment:
○ Inmarsat ship earth stations
○ VHF, MF, and HF digital selective calling (DSC) radios
○ maritime safety information receivers like NAVTEX and SafetyNET
○ hand-held VHF equipment
○ emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs, ELT, PLB 406 MHz)
○ search and rescue radar transponders (SARTs)
○ AIS search and rescue transmitters (AIS-SARTs).
SAR Organization
○ SAR Coordinator (SC)
○ SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC)
○ Rescue Coordination Center (RCC)
○ Rescue Sub-Center (RSC)
○ On Scene Coordinator (OSC)
○ SAR Units (SRUs)
SAR Organization
○ SAR Coordinators are executive-level leaders and managers
○ SAR Coordinator is the person or agency with overall responsibility for establishing and providing civil SAR
○ Establishing, staffing, equipping and managing the SAR system
○ Providing appropriate legal and funding support
○ Establishing RCCs and RSCs;
○ Providing or arranging for SAR facilities and SAR resources;
○ Coordinating SAR training and exercises; and,
○ Promulgating SAR policies and supporting documents
Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC)
○ A unit responsible for promoting efficient organization of search and rescue services and for coordinating the conduct of search and rescue operations within a search and rescue region
Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator (SMC)
○ Designated person for duration of a SAR incident, usually in an RCC who is well trained and thoroughly familiar with SAR plans
○ Manages/Guides a SAR operation until completion
○ Gather information about the distress situations
○ Develop accurate and workable SAR action plans
○ Dispatch and coordinate the resources to carry out SAR missions
○ SMC Duties
○ Obtain and evaluate all data on the emergency
○ Ascertain the type of emergency equipment involved in incident
○ Knowledgeable of prevailing environmental conditions
SAR Organization
○ SMC Duties continued…
○ Ascertain locations of vessels and alert shipping
○ Plot the areas to search and decide method and assets to be used
○ Develop Search Action Plan and Rescue Plan
○ Coordinate with other RCCs
○ Review all reports and Modify plans
○ Arrange logistical support for Search effort i.e. Fuel, food, lodging…
○ Arrange logistical support for survivors
○ Issue reports
○ Determine when to suspend or terminate
○ Release of search assets
○ Notify accident investigators
○ Notify the State of registry
○ Prepare and disseminate final report
On-Scene Coordinator (OSC)
○ When two or more SAR facilities are working together on the same mission, one
person on scene may be needed to coordinate the activities of all participating
facilities.
○ SMC designates an OSC, who may be the person in charge of a:
○ Search and Rescue unit (SRU), ship, or aircraft participating in a search,
or…
○ Nearby facility in a position to handle OSC duties
○ The person in charge of the first facility to arrive at the scene will normally assume
the OSC function until the SMC arranges for that person to be relieved
SAR Units
○ A unit subordinate to a Rescue Coordination Center
○ Composed of trained personnel
○ Provided with equipment & material suitable for expeditious conduct of search &
rescue operations
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~All I ask is a tall ship, and a star to steer her by~~~~
🟨 QUARANTINE
QUARANTINE DETAILS BY MARITIME AREA
WEEKLY'S
May 18 2022 70% Vaccination Rate
| Australia | Reached |
| Cook Islands | Reached |
| American Samoa | Reached |
| Cook Islands | Reached |
| Fiji | Reached |
| French Polynesia | Reached |
| Kiribati | 80 days |
| Marshall Islands | 49 days |
| Nauru | Reached |
| New Caledonia | Reached |
| New Zealand | Reached |
| Niue | Reached |
| Papua New Guinea | 22610 days |
| Pitcairn | Reached |
| Samoa | Reached |
| Solomon Islands | 415 days |
| Tokelau | Reached |
| Tonga | Reached |
| Tuvalu | Reached |
| Vanuatu | 27 days |
| Wallis and Futuna | Reached |
Maritime borders closed ad of July 4 2021
GALAPAGOS RESTRICTIONS – VACCINATION RECORD AND PCR TEST
Bonjour,
I have just recveid an email from the DPAM showing that the requirement to request permission to enter has been lifted according an order from the High commissioner’s office.
The DPAM no longer requires nor will they treat any requests to enter French Polynesia. Below is the translated text from the DPAM.
This also means and I have a confirmation that the restriction on entry ports has been lifted. It will take a week or more for the other islands to be aware of this change.
I hope you all are as happy about this news as we are.
Cheers, Kevin.
Hello, You will find attached the order HC 917 CAB of May 9, 2022 amending the order HC 7934 CAB of November 15, 2021. This order deletes IV of article 36 relating to reporting obligations and authorizations prior to the arrival of pleasure boats. As a result, entry clearance requests put in place for the COVID crisis are no longer required and will no longer be processed. Cordially, Kevin
In French Polynesia, from 3 January 2020 to 4:12pm CEST, 25 June 2021, there have been 18,992 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 142 deaths, reported to WHO. As of 19 June 2021, a total of 115,715 vaccine doses have been administered.
- Vaccinated and provide official evidence of vaccination from the country of vaccination.
- Meet normal requirements for maritime entry to the Cook Islands, under the Customs Revenue and Border Protection Act 2012.
- Meet normal Cook Islands immigration entry requirements.
All vessels that enter the Cook Islands must do so through the Avatiu Port, Rarotonga.
Approval to birth or land must be sought through the Harbourmaster and clearance received from a Customs Officer.
NOVEL CORONAVIRUS DISEASE INFORMATION
FOR TRAVELING TO THE COOK ISLANDS
COOK ISLANDS AIR BORDER REOPENED
The Cook Islands Government made the important decision to re-open the air borders on 13 January 2022 (Cook Islands time). This decision was based on a range of high-level advice from the Government’s Border Easement Taskforce and data modelling experts in New Zealand. This reopening of borders allows for two-way quarantine-free travel from New Zealand.
Read the full Prime Ministers Media Statement here
For more information on what you need to know prior to travel, visit Travel Requirement Checklist - Click Here.
UPDATE: The Cook Islands Quarantine Free Travel settings with New Zealand will continue and the air border will remain open, despite New Zealand currently in code Red of their traffic light system. Updated 9pm Sunday 23 January 2022 (CKT)
TRAVEL ADVISORY
The Cook Islands current Section 9A Notice for Refusal of Entry under the Entry, Residence and Departure Act 1971-72, signed into effect from 12 May 2020 and still active, is as follows;
All persons are denied entry into the Cook Islands unless there is an exemption provided (in writing) by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI).
Effective from 11.59pm Wednesday 12 January 2022 (CKT), the following groups of persons are exempted for entry into the Cook Islands, provided they meet the entry criteria specified in the COVID-19 (Air Border Requirements) Regulations 2021, summarised below:
-
- Group 1 - Any person who is visiting the Cook Islands under a visitor's permit (tourist) must:
- have been in New Zealand or the Cook Islands for a continuous period of at least 10 days before the scheduled departure date of their flight to the Cook Islands; and
- be vaccinated and provide evidence of vaccination; and
- have completed the online COVID-19 Cook Islands Ministry of Health travel declaration information form no earlier than 96 hours before the scheduled departure time of their flight to the Cook Islands; and
- provide a negative result from an RT-PCR test administered no earlier than 48 hours before the scheduled departure time of their flight to the Cook Islands.
- For more information visit Visitor Travel FAQ
- Group 1 - Any person who is visiting the Cook Islands under a visitor's permit (tourist) must:
-
- Group 2 - Any person who holds a valid Cook Islands issued Immigration permit, other than a visitor permit, must:
- provide evidence of Immigration permit
- have been in New Zealand or the Cook Islands for a continuous period of at least 10 full days before the scheduled departure date of their journey to the Cook Islands
- be vaccinated and provide evidence of vaccination
- have completed the online COVID-19 Cook Islands Ministry of Health travel declaration information form no earlier than 96 hours before the scheduled departure time of their journey to the Cook Islands; and
- provide a negative result from an RT-PCR test administered no earlier than 48 hours before the scheduled departure time of their journey to the Cook Islands.
- Group 2 - Any person who holds a valid Cook Islands issued Immigration permit, other than a visitor permit, must:
Exemptions from Vaccination requirements - a person from group 2 is exempted from the vaccination requirements if they have a medical exemption from vaccination which meets the requirements of the regulations. or if they are under the age of 12 years and 3 months. Home quarantine and mandatory testing requirements will apply to these persons on arrival into the Cook Islands.
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- Group 3 - A person who is a Cook Islander or Permanent resident and child of Permanent Resident must:
- If a Cook Islander- provide evidence of their Cook Islands status; if Permanent resident -must provide evidence of their Permanent Resident status. To request endorsement of your Immigration Status click here
- have been in New Zealand or the Cook Islands for a continuous period of at least 10 full days before the scheduled departure date of their journey to the Cook Islands;
- notify the Ministry of their vaccination status and, if they state that they are vaccinated, provide evidence of vaccination
- have completed the online COVID-19 Cook Islands Ministry of Health travel declaration information form no earlier than 96 hours before the scheduled departure time of their journey to the Cook Islands
- Provide a negative result from an RT-PCR test administered no earlier than 48 hours before the scheduled departure time of their journey to the Cook Islands.
- Group 3 - A person who is a Cook Islander or Permanent resident and child of Permanent Resident must:
Persons from Group 3 are permitted entry into the Cook Islands regardless of their vaccination status. However, for those aged over 12 years 3 months who are unvaccinated and do not have a valid medical exemption, conditions of entry include a mandatory period in supervised quarantine (at the traveller's expense) as well as mandatory PCR tests on arrival into the Cook Islands and during the quarantine period Persons in Group 3 who are unvaccinated because they have a medical exemption or because they are under the age of 12 years and 3 months will be subject to at-home quarantine and mandatory testing requirements.
B) Applies to all travellers - Delayed or Rebooked flights
If the person's flight is delayed or rebooked by more than 12 hours but less than 24 hours from the original scheduled departure time, the person must also provide a negative result from a supervised rapid antigen test administered no earlier than 12 hours before the new scheduled departure time of their flight to the Cook Islands.
However, if the person does not leave New Zealand on a flight to the Cook Islands within 24 hours after their original scheduled departure time, they must comply with the usual testing entry requirements.
C) All those requiring MIQ
For travellers in Groups 2 and 3 who are not vaccinated and are required to enter MIQ as per the entry requirements, must provide evidence of their MIQ placement and confirmation from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management to MFAI 48 hours prior to their scheduled departure. Travellers will be refused entry without this confirmation.
D) All travellers must meet Cook Islands Immigration Entry requirements
All queries regarding this travel advisory can be directed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Te Kauono Tutara e te Mana Tiaki on email: immigration2@cookislands.gov.ck.
Access to the Cook Islands is via New Zealand. All travellers outside of New Zealand will need to meet New Zealand entry travel requirements.
For Travel Advisory 06 January 2022 click here
TRAVEL TO PA ENUA (OUTER ISLANDS)
In order to protect our Pa Enua (Outer Islands), travel to these Islands has been categorized by 2 bubbles:
- Bubble 1: Rarotonga & Aitutaki
- Bubble 2: Rarotonga & other Pa Enua (except Aitutaki)
For all travel in Bubbles 1 and 2, you must meet the following requirements:
Bubble 1: Travel from Rarotonga to Aitutaki
- Provide a negative result from a supervised Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) administered on the day of departure to Aitutaki. A Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) testing facility is available at the Airport with tests costing $10 per person. If you are transiting directly from New Zealand to Aitutaki, a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) test is required.
- Provide evidence of full vaccination or has a Pa Enua Travel exemption.
Bubble 2: Travel from Rarotonga to other Pa Enua (except Aitutaki)
- Provide a negative result from a supervised Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) administered on the day of departure. A Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) testing facility is available at the Airport with tests costing $10 per person.
- Provide evidence of full vaccination or has a Pa Enua Travel exemption.
- Has resided in the Cook Islands for a continuous period of 7 days before the day of departure.
To apply for a Pa Enua Travel exemption email tmo.exemptions@cookislands.gov.ck
CONTACT TRACING IN THE COOK ISLANDS: COOKSAFE AND COOKSAFE+
All travellers will be required to use CookSafe and CookSafe+ which are the two official contact tracing systems in the Cook Islands.
CookSafe and CookSafe+ are the two official contact tracing systems in the Cook Islands. CookSafe is a unique QR Card that is used to tag in at CookSafe stations. The QR card will be issued to you in flight before you land in the Cook Islands. CookSafe+ is a contact tracing app which uses smartphone Bluetooth technology to register other CookSafe+ App users and NZ Covid Tracer App users in your vicinity.
THE COOK ISLANDS PROMISE: SAFEGUARDING OUR ISLAND COMMUNITIES AND OUR VISITORS
As the Cook Islands prepares to opens its borders and tourism businesses, vigilance is paramount as Government, the tourism industry and the wider community welcome visitors back to our little paradise. The Cook Islands have developed ‘The Cook Islands Promise’ which is a joint commitment to protect all Cook Islands residents, and international visitors, from the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus widely known as COVID-19. Developed by Cook Islands Tourism in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister and Te Marae Ora, the Cook Islands Promise includes some basic measures when applied will help to safeguard all.
Hawaii continues with the state’s Safe Travels(link is external) program, even for fully vaccinated passengers.
Beginning July 8, 2021, individuals fully vaccinated in the United States or its Territories may enter Hawaii on domestic flights without pre-travel testing/quarantine starting the 15th day after the completion of their vaccination. All other travelers must have their negative test results from a Trusted Testing and Travel Partner(link is external) prior to departing as an alternative to Hawaii’s mandatory 10-day quarantine.
As of June 15, all passengers who are not in quarantine are free to travel between islands without restriction.
For more information visit hawaiicovid19.com/travel(link is external) and register with the State of Hawaii Safe Travels(link is external) online system. Only test results from Trusted Testing and Travel Partners(link is external) will be accepted. Review new vaccination exception requirements at hawaiicovid19.com/faqs(link is external). All incoming travelers are required to have their temperatures checked and complete a health questionnaire online before they can leave the airport.
See full details below on steps and resources to efficiently plan your trip to the Hawaiian Islands.
INFORMATION FOR TRANS-PACIFIC TRAVELERS, INCLUDING U.S. AND CANADA
Effective January 26, 2021, this CDC Order(link is external) went into effect. For international travelers coming to the State of Hawaii, only tests from Trusted Testing Partners will be accepted for purposes of bypassing the State’s 10-day traveler quarantine.
On January 21, 2021, the President of the United States issued an executive order(link is external) related to travel. For the time being, no changes to the Safe Travels program.
Travelers from Canada may bypass the state’s mandatory 10-day quarantine if they have a negative COVID-19 test result from a lab
June 18, 2022 by Maaba Katirite
The Government of Kiribati, through the Office of Te Beretitenti today announced that all international travel to and from Kiribati will return to normal on the 1st of August, 2022.
This official announcement also confirmed that the Government of Kiribati has reduced the compulsory in-country quarantine days for all travelers from seven (7) to three (3) days.
The announcement follows the Government of Kiribati’s confirmation that the country’s COVID-19 Alert Level has been reduced from 3b to 3c and it has relaxed the SOP guidelines currently being practiced as part of Kiribati’s preventive measures against COVID-19.
The New Public Health Order was effective from Friday 17th of June, 2022 and will remain for two weeks as the curfew hours have ceased for all islands that are infected by COVID-19.
Furthermore, inter-island travel will still be subject to the availability of quarantine centres on islands that are COVID-19 free.
Despite the relaxation of some of the SOP guidelines, the Government appeals to the general public to continue practicing health safety measures such as wearing masks in public and the continuation of handwashing to help stop the spread of the virus. The public is encouraged to visit clinics to receive vaccination and booster, 5 months after receiving second dose.
As of this week, the administration of the Pfizer vaccine for youths between the age of 12 and 17 years has commenced in South Tarawa and Betio. Parents and guardians are encouraged to ensure all their children are fully vaccinated to ensure the safety and well-being of their children and the general public.
#Kiribati #pacificposse
https://newsletter.visitkiribati.travel/2022/06/18/international-travel-to-kiribati-to-begin-01-august-2022/
Sat, 14 May 2022
Government has decided to further extend the lockdown period for 23 more days effective from 4pm Thursday 12th of May until 4am on Friday 3rd of June 2022 under Alert Level 3(b).
Based on the low number of new daily cases detected in the community for the islands affected by COVID-19, along with reports from Medical Team from Australia (AusMAT) and Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Government has decided to undertake a sustained and managed approach to manage the COVID-19 risks.
This approach reflects on the need to move to living with the virus whilst allowing critical economic activities and consideration for islands that are still COVID-19 free.
As the curfew measures will be relaxed overtime, Government stresses that vaccination remains a high priority for the health and wellbeing of the Kiribati people including SOPs such as wearing of masks, no spitting and washing of hands.
Subsequent to the decision pertaining to this extension, curfew order used for the last two weeks remains the same with new measures now put in place for the public to strictly comply with. These new measures which will only apply on the islands of Makin, Butaritari, Abaiang, North Tarawa, South Tarawa, Betio, Aranuka and Abemama are as follows:
• Curfew hours will commence from 1am until 4am.
• Travels to the outer islands and inter island travels are now allowed depending on the availability of quarantine centre on the island and with strict compliance with the travel requirements such as tested before travel, self-quarantine, tested negative before travelling, three (3) days quarantine on the island and tested negative before release.
• Councils are responsible to make preparations for designated quarantine center on their islands. For islands with Senior Secondary Schools, secondary school facilities will serve as quarantine centre to cater for the large number of students and staff.
• The Kiribati Police Service will continue to monitor for compliance to measures in place by the general public.
In light of this, the Government appeals to the general public to strictly comply with the health safety measures and those who have reached 60 years and above to take their booster doses at nearby clinics. Those who have not yet completed their two doses are encouraged to do so. Arrangements are currently underway to vaccinate those aged 12 to 17 years and this will be announced once ready.
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For more info, contact:
Communications& PR Unit, Office of The President, P.O Box 68, Bairiki, Tarawa, Republic of Kiribati Tel: +686-75021183, Fax: +686-75021466, Mobile: +686-73026636; E-mail: tteabo@ob.gov.ki
Tourism Kiribati Welcomes Border Re-opening Announcement
The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) has welcomed the announcement yesterday by te Beretitenti, His Excellency Taneti Maamau on his government’s decision to open Kiribati national borders from January 2022.
In his announcement, President Maamau urged the people of Kiribati who qualify for the COVID-19 vaccines to complete both their doses before the end year. He emphasized that unity and complying with restrictions and regulations is very important for the safety of all I-Kiribati. The President called on old men and women organizations, church groups, youth groups, women organizations, Islands Councils, communities and fathers and mothers in every household to help encourage family members and friends get vaccinated against this deadly virus.
Through its Tourism Restart Program, TAK has developed the Kiribati Tourism & Hospitality Protocols for the New Normal and is currently undertaking COVID-19 safety protocol training for all accommodation providers. Properties in South Tarawa, North Tarawa, Abaiang, Tab North and Tab South have completed their training whilst the rest of accommodation and tourism service providers in other islands will receive their COVID-19 protocol training by November 2021. TAK CEO, Petero Manufolau confirmed that an industry-wide refresher training will be conducted in December 2021, prior to border reopening in January 2022.
As part of its restart program, TAK will also launch its Digital Marketing Strategy in September for implementation form October 2021, giving the Pacific Island destination 3 months to roll out its marketing campaigns and programs.
Travellers returning or visiting Kiribati for the first time in 2022 can expect an improved experience through the destination’s Mauri Mark program, a hotel assessment and accreditation program and the Mauri Way, a Kiribati National Tourism Customer Service program for all tourism service providers.
Details of Kiribati’s COVID-19 traveler requirements and protocols for the January 2022 international border reopening will be advised once it is available from government.
Information for International Travellers
The current State of Emergency in Samoa remains in effect and had been extended from 9th May until 5th June 2022. Furthermore, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has confirmed Samoa will welcome international travellers into the country from 1st August 2022.
ALL TRAVELERS AND CREW ENTERING SAMOA MUST COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS.
Your compliance with the conditions listed is imperative to ensuring the safety of all travelers and our people in Samoa. We endeavor to keep Samoa COVID-19 Free.
For travel preparations visit the Ministry of Health website at www.health.gov.ws to download the Government of Samoa, Ministry of Health Medical Clearance Health form and for information regarding rules of quarantine.
The Ministry of Health appreciates your full cooperation and patience on arrival as you may experience long delays.
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27 Sept 2022
After two-years and six-months, Tonga has lifted most of its COVID-19 health restrictions, including that for international travel and the national curfew, effective from 27 September.
The border has now fully re-opened, with a requirement for foreign adults to provide proof of vaccination before arrival.
The Acting Prime Minister Hon. Samiu Vaipulu, with the CEO of Health, Dr. Siale ‘Akau’ola and MEIDECC CEO, Paula Ma’u, declared Tonga at a “green light level’ and the national night-time curfew lifted.
Health
In more detail, Dr ‘Akau’ola said Tonga has only a few COVID-19 cases and the second wave of BA5 has exceedingly decreased, with number of deaths from COVID-19 remaining at 12.
“There is no threat to our health service and care, Tonga has a satisfactory level to return to normal. This is also the trend globally, as other countries have also returned to normal due to the downward trend of their COVID-19 cases.”
He said that the Ministry of Health made the recommendation to return to green to the National Emergency Management Committee (NEMC), who in return made the submission and approved by Cabinet last week.
“Operations of all airlines and sea entry via cruise ships or yachts, have returned to normal procedures and will resume on their own, without any health orders applied,” said Dr. ‘Akau’ola.
These approved conventions will allow all Tongans, foreigners and transit passengers travelling to Tonga to enter the country, without the mandatory COVID pre-departure testing. The mandatory testing to be carried out within three to five-days, upon arrival is also lifted.
“The only significant requirement that remains is that foreigners (12-years and over) are still required to show their vaccination card at check in before boarding, same with cruise ships, etc.
“Wearing masks, social distancing, hand washing, etc. are encouraged but not mandatory.”
At the same time, foreigners who are medically permitted not to get vaccinated, but wish to enter the country, will need to provide medical documents to the Ministry of Health in order to be permitted to travel.
“Furthermore, businesses wishing to remain enforcing their own COVID policies, such as wearing masks for staff and customers can continue to do so. Before, the health requirements were mandatory, now they are just encouraged,” he said.
Vaiola Hospital staff will continue to perform covid-19 tests at the hospital for people showing signs of flu-like symptoms, if they come in with those symtoms.
In addition, anyone testing positive upon confirmed COVID-19 test, will still need to self-isolate in their homes for five-days.
Meanwhile, the MRNA Moderna vaccine (SpikeVax Product), the second booster shots, are targetting high-risk people only.
“There is no need for everyone to take this vaccine,” he said.
“Groups encouraged to take the second booster shot include; frontline workers, anyone planning to travel overseas, people aged 50 and above, and people who have underlying health issues.”
State of Emergencies ends
Meanwhile, Tonga’s two national States of Emergency have ended.
MEIDECC CEO said the two States of Emergency had completed its course and were not renewed.
“The State of Eemergency for COVID-19, which has been ongoing for two-years and six-months is complete. The State of Emergency for Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai (HTHH) was also completed on 25 September.”
At the same time, the night-time curfew (Restriction of Directions) has been completely lifted and the curfew no longer enforced.
22 July 2022
Nuku’alofa – Cabinet has today approved the progressive opening of the country’s borders, with conditions and subject to review, from August 1, 2022.
The Prime Minister, Honourable Hu’akavameiliku, and Cabinet met earlier this afternoon and approved recommendations from the National Emergency Management Committee (NEMC) on the ‘Open Border Policy Framework for Tonga’.
“All travelers entering Tonga must comply with all requirements and conditions that have been approved,” Hon Hu’akavameiliku said.
“While we are progressively opening the borders we must emphasize that compliance with the conditions is important to ensuring the safety of all travelers and our people.”
Flights
Flights from and to Fua’amotu International Airport from New Zealand will increase to two (2) flights per week between August 1 to August 28, 2022. That will increase to three (3) flights per week from August 29 to October 31 and further increase to six (6) flights per week after that.
Flights from Fiji will be increased to two (2) from August 1 until October 31 while flights from Australia will continue with one per week.
Review of the number of flights and ships, including cruiseliners, will be at the discretion of the NEMC.
Travelers
All travelers aged 12 years old and above must have been vaccinated twice before they will be allowed to travel to Tonga.
All foreign travelers will need to have travel insurance, which can be bought when purchasing tickets. Confirmation of hotel booking or accommodation in Tonga must be sent to the email address travel@health.gov.to 48 hours before flight.
All travelers will also need to have a legitimate vaccine certificate sent to the email address and have a copy of the same for check in purposes and on arrival in Tonga.
Passengers who have medical conditions that stops them from having vaccination will need to provide proof with a written medical report sent by email to travel@health.gov.to. But the Ministry of Health has the right to deny boarding of flight to Tonga if they are not satisfied with the medical report provided.
Tests
All incoming passengers will need to have a negative Supervised Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) result within 24 hours of departure, including all those in transit over 24 hours at any airport on the way to Tonga.
Those who do not present the RAT test result will not be allowed to board flights to Tonga.
Citizens who have not completed their vaccination but wish to return to Tonga must pay for five-days of quarantine at a government approved facility. This must be communicated via email to travel@health.gov.to prior to booking. This is subject to review in October.
Arrivals
Arriving passengers will need to wear face masks at all times when they arrive at the airport and follow National COVID-19 Restrictions Directions in place.
All passengers must fill in the Health Arrival Declaration Form and will also be encouraged to download the Tonga ‘Atautolu contact tracing app.
A supervised PCR test will be required between Day 3 to Day 5 of quarantine for quarantined passengers, and results need to be sent to the Ministry of Health.
Passengers who return positive results will need to self-isolate at home for five days from the date of being tested positive.
Tonga is currently Orange under the Tonga COVID-19 Traffic Light Framework. This is the second highest level. You need to quarantine for 5 days when entering Tonga. A curfew is in place from 12am to 5am. Tonga has extended its COVID-19 restrictions nationwide until at least 4 June. Facemasks and social distancing are required in public, including at hospitality venues and on public transport. All businesses are open except for night clubs. Mobile phone and internet connectivity has been restored within Tongatapu, following the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano on 15 January, and work continues to improve communications in the outer islands including the Vava’u and Ha’apai groups. Monitor media for the latest developments and follow the instructions of local authorities. A state of emergency remains in place due to COVID-19.
COVID-19 Daily Update as of 25 June 2021 / Confirmed Cases: 0 / Tonga is COVID-19 Free
http://www.health.gov.to/
https://www.gov.to/press-release/important-contact-numbers-for-tonga-response-covid-19-2/
For further enquiries please contact:
Mr. ‘Alifeleti Tu’ihalamaka
Director for Communications
MEIDECC
Tel: 7749845/8413242
In Tonga, from 3 January 2020 to 4:12pm CEST, 25 June 2021, there have been 0 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 0 deaths, reported to WHO. As of 21 June 2021, a total of 28,667 vaccine doses have been administered.
WALLIS AND FUTUNA IS CLOSED
Health situation update in Wallis and Futuna on Thursday, June 24, 2021:
- 54.9% of the vaccineable population were vaccinated, i.e. 4,554 people received the first injection (1st dose)
- 39.4% of the global population have a complete vaccination status or 4,341 people.
- no new positive cases to date:
Detailed Travel Advisory
Published 18.05.2021
1. Passengers are not allowed to enter.
– This does not apply to:
– passengers arriving from Wallis and Futuna Isl.;
– residents of New Caledonia, their spouses and children. They must present a completed Travel Certificate before boarding and to immigration upon arrival obtained at https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Deplacements-entre-la-metropole-et-les-territoires-d-Outre-Mer;
– residents of Wallis and Futuna Isl. who are nationals of France. They must present a completed Travel Certificate before boarding and to immigration upon arrival obtained at https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Deplacements-entre-la-metropole-et-les-territoires-d-Outre-Mer
2. Passengers must have a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) molecular test result. The test must have been taken at most 72 hours before departure from the first embarkation point.
– This does not apply to passengers younger than 11 years.
3. Passengers traveling to Noumea (NOU) must register before departure at https://tinyurl.com/4t5hl4zv.
4. Passengers traveling to Wallis Isl. (WLS) and Futuna Isl. (FUT) must register with the Authorities before departure at cov@wallis-et-futuna.pref.gouv.fr.
5. Passengers are subject to quarantine for up to 14 days.
6. Airline crew are subject to medical screening.Detailed Tourist Information
Travelers must fill in a travel certificate (or “attestation”) (available here). All travelers over the age of 11 must undertake a test for COVID-19 within 72 hours before departure for Wallis and Futuna. The test is obligatory and the traveler must show proof of a negative result before embarking.
Travelers may also need to produce a self-certified document affirming that they have no COVID symptoms and that to their knowledge they have not been in contact with any person confirmed positive within the last 14 days. You should check with your travel operator and the local Prefecture’s advice ahead of travel.
Airlines may refuse boarding to anyone who does not produce both proof of a negative result and the self-certified document.
It is also necessary to register with the Cellule d’Organisation des Vols (COV) before traveling to Wallis and Futuna. Further information is available on the website of the local Prefecture.
You may be subject to a period of quarantine upon arrival. Please see the website of the local Prefecture for further details.
These entry requirements are subject to change. For further information on the entry restrictions in place for French Overseas Territories, please see the French government’s website before traveling.
If traveling via France, you should also check our Travel Advice for France.
FIJI IS RESTRICTED BUT OPEN WITH THE BLUE LANE SCHEME
Arriving and Departing Fiji
Effective 7th April 2022
Fully vaccinated visitors to Fiji can enjoy quarantine-free travel with supporting:
- Yacht arrivals undergo vetting prior to arrival by submitting their documents at least 48 hrs in advance to FRCS,
- Do a pre departure test
- including their vaccination status and insurance confirmation including COVID as part of cover.
- Vessels need to pre-book a test to be conducted on arrival by a nominated service provider since they would have covered their 2 – 3 days at sea prior to arrival and clear via normal clearance procedures thereafter.
- Should a crew be tested positive, they would be required to quarantine at an approved quarantine facility on Denarau Island (Sofitel or Hilton Resort) or a Government Managed Facility (Tanoa Hotel, Nalagi Hotel or Nasau Apartments) for a minimum of 7 days irrespective of their country of arrival.
We invite you to stay updated by directly visiting official sites:
In Fiji, from 3 January 2020 to 4:12pm CEST, 25 June 2021, there have been 2,848 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 13 deaths, reported to WHO. As of 17 June 2021, a total of 265,037 vaccine doses have been administered.
Update:
16th June 2021 – The COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Taskforce has released a Public Advisory regarding a change in current protocols for the Blue Lane Initiative.
- Following the easing of restrictions in Nadi and Lautoka, vessels may disembark Viti Levu based ports for contactless provisioning, with the exception of the Lami-Suva–Nausori Containment Zone.
- Port Denarau remains a customs and quarantine clearing port for yachts arriving.
- Once a yacht successfully clears at Port Denarau and completes contactless provisioning, the vessel may cruise to other outer islands. The yacht must, at all times, display the Blue Lanes flag provided at the time of clearance.
- For vessels clearing outside of Viti Levu (Savusavu), while cruising throughout the island groups is permitted with a clear display of the Blue Lanes flag, access to Viti Levu is prohibited.
- Vessels cruising outside the Containment Zone may go ashore and partake in leisure activities such as water sports, snorkel, dive, etc. while observing COVID safe protocols.
- For vessels whose crew and passengers need to disembark on Viti Levu for any reason either than turn around provisioning, a mandatory 14-day quarantine on their vessel shall apply, prior to visiting any other islands. This will be undertaken at the designated quarantine anchorage at Port Denarau under the surveillance of the Fiji Navy. The yacht will only be permitted to depart for other islands upon clearance by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, as per the standard protocols of clearing yachts arrival under the Blue Lanes.
- All ports are to continue with strict monitoring and all vessels are required to keep their Automatic Identification System (AIS) turned on and visible at all times.
- Penalty for breach of any of these terms may result in seizure of the vessel.
14th May 2021 – Fiji is currently experiencing our second wave of COVID cases in the community and therefore there has been changes made in protocols for the Blue Lanes Initiative. A full copy of the changes can be found here. We continue to receive vessels under the Blue Lanes as our maritime borders remain open. Please engage with an agent to start your application process.
The Fijian Prime Minister announced the opening of borders to tourist and yachts under strict conditions in June 2021. Yachts must apply and be approved before embarking toward Fiji, approval is not automatic and each application will be specifically assessed. Applications MUST BE THROUGH AN AGENT.
NEW CALEDONIA IS RESTRICTED BUT OPEN Jan ’22
To arrive in New Caledonia, you have to be vaccinated (certificate sent by email). Moreover, for the moment, it is necessary to carry out 7 days of isolation at home (a boat can be a valid residence).
It is important to know that the days spent at sea are considered as days of isolation.
So what I advise for the boats wanting to come to Caledonia :
PCR test 24 hours before departure (mandatory)
Clearance at departure (mandatory)
Arrive in Caledonia after a minimum of 7 days at sea (recommended)
Follow-up of the health of the people on board to be sent to the authorities as soon as you arrive in New Caledonia (mandatory)
Antigen test once the boat is anchored in New Caledonia (and after 7 days at sea or in isolation) (mandatory and free in New Caledonia)
Once this is done, you can enter Caledonia freely !
It may seem complicated but in reality you only need 2 tests (1 on departure and 1 on arrival) and 7 days of isolation or sea.
If some of your boats want to participate in the Groupama Race, we can help you and accompany you for your arrival in Caledonia (marina place, link with the local authorities, …)
I am of course available if you have any other questions or needs!
When New Zealand’s borders open
The Government has announced its 5-step plan to re-open New Zealand borders, commencing 27 February 2022.
| COVID-19 update from the New Zealand Government
Wednesday, 11 May 2022 |
|
New Zealand’s border to open fully from July 31 New Zealand’s international border will reopen to visa applications, including for visitors and students at 11.59pm on 31 July, two months earlier than planned, reconnecting families, businesses and migrant communities. Airlines and cruise ship companies planning a return to New Zealand in the peak spring and summer seasons will have the certainty they need to plan as the maritime border will open to foreign-flagged vessels at 11.59pm on 31 July. |
Reopening the New Zealand border
The international border is reopening in 5 phases for fully vaccinated, eligible travellers to enter NZ and self-isolate.
The phased approach has 5 steps.
Step 1 — from Sunday February 27, 11.59 pm
The border opens to New Zealanders and other eligible travellers coming from Australia.
This means you can enter New Zealand and self-isolate if you:
- are an NZ citizen, resident or otherwise eligible to enter NZ while the border is restricted
- are fully vaccinated
- have spent the previous 14 days in Australia or NZ
- have had the pre-departure tests you need.
Pre-departure tests to enter New Zealand | COVID19.govt.nz
Proof of vaccination for travel to New Zealand | COVID19.govt.nz
Eligible travellers from Nauru, Tuvalu and American Samoa can arrive in New Zealand without needing to self-isolate.
Who is eligible to enter NZ during border restrictions
You can enter NZ while the border is restricted if you are:
- an NZ citizen
- an NZ permanent resident or resident visa holder
- an Australian citizen or permanent residence visa holder where NZ is your primary place of residence
- people with border exceptions or a critical purpose reason to travel
- a partner, dependent child, or parent of a dependent child who either:
- holds a visa based on their relationship to an NZ citizen or resident
- is travelling with a New Zealander or resident, or
- is ordinarily resident in NZ.
If you are entering NZ based on your relationship to an NZ citizen or resident — for example you are a partner, dependent child or partner of a dependent child — and you do not have a visa based on the relationship, you may be asked to prove your eligibility at the airport.
To prevent this we recommend you fill out a Request to travel form so we can assess your eligibility before you travel.
All travellers to New Zealand must hold a valid visa or an NZeTA.
Step 2 — from Sunday 13 March, 11.59 pm
The border opens to New Zealanders and other eligible travellers coming from anywhere in the world.
This means you can travel to New Zealand and self-isolate if you:
- are eligible to enter the border while it is restricted, including if you have a border exception
- meet health requirements, including being fully vaccinated and getting pre-departure tests.
Applications open for working holiday schemes and are extended for skilled workers
You can apply for some working holiday schemes. We are reopening them on a rolling basis and the time for individual schemes will be confirmed.
If you are a skilled worker it may be easier to be granted an ‘other critical worker’ border exception.
- You are now eligible if you earn at least 1.5 times the median wage (NZD $84,240 a year or NZD $40.50 an hour) for roles longer than 6 months.
- We no longer require ‘other critical workers’ who meet the 1.5 times the median wage bright line test to demonstrate that their skills are not readily obtainable in New Zealand.
- The highly skilled family reunification border exception is aligned with the 1.5 times the median wage bright line test for ‘other critical workers’.
Step 3 — from Tuesday 12 April, 11.59 pm
The border reopens to:
- temporary work and student visa holders currently outside New Zealand as long as they still meet their visa requirements
- temporary work and student visa holders currently inside New Zealand to leave at any time and return from step 3 (where their visa conditions allow).
Up to 5000 international students can apply for a border exception to enter New Zealand. We hope most students can travel here in time to start studying in July. We will provide more details about eligibility and how to apply.
Workforce class exceptions and events, and government approved programme lists, will be extended and updated. Applications for border exceptions under these class exceptions will open or be extended.
We will provide more details about the scope of new border exceptions and updates to exceptions and government approved lists.
Step 4 — from July 2022
Our borders will open to:
- Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and other foreign nationals travelling from Australia
- visitors from visa-waiver countries
- Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders
- temporary visitor visa holders who are outside New Zealand, as long as they meet their visa requirements.
If you have a temporary visitor visa and you are currently in New Zealand you can leave any time and return as long as your visa conditions allow you to. This includes if you have a guardian visa.
The AEWV will mainly be limited to roles that pay above the New Zealand median wage. More information on this will be made available soon.
Step 5 — from October 2022
The border opens for all other New Zealand visa holders, including visitor and student visas, unless the visa is closed or paused.
Applications for all New Zealand visas will reopen, unless the visa is closed or paused.
Health requirements
While you do not have to enter MIQ at each step, you must meet some health requirements, including:
- You must provide a negative pre-departure test.
- You must meet vaccination requirements.
- You will self-isolate for a period of time after you arrive.
- You must do 2 rapid antigen tests (RATs) during your self-isolation period on day 0/1 and day 5/6 and declare your results.
From 21 February 2022, all visa holders who are fully vaccinated for international travel purposes can travel to Australia without a travel exemption. Unvaccinated visa holders will still need to be in an exempt category or hold an individual travel exemption to enter Australia.
Preparing to travel to Australia from overseas Feb 2022
https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/preparing-to-travel-to-australia-from-overseas
Follow the steps below when you are preparing to travel to Australia.
| ☐ | Check if you are exempt from Australia's travel restrictions |
| Australian citizens, permanent residents and visa holders who are fully vaccinated for international travel purposes can travel to and from Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption.
For information on exempt categories, or steps on applying for an individual exemption, see: Travel restrictions and exemptions. Please note: proof that you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons is separate to a Commissioner’s travel exemption. |
|
| ☐ | Check if you can access reduced quarantine requirements |
| Your vaccination status will impact the options available for travel to Australia.
If you are fully vaccinated for international travel purposes, you may be eligible for reduced quarantine requirements when coming to Australia. However, this can vary depending on quarantine arrangements in the state or territory to which you are travelling. Before you book your flight, check the quarantine and other arrangements for the state or territory to which you are travelling. Make sure that you are prepared to comply with any requirements, including by providing any required information to the relevant state or territory, and complying with post-arrival testing requirements. This also includes complying with arrangements for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children aged 12-17 years old. If you are planning on traveling onwards to or through a different state or territory when you arrive in Australia, you need to check domestic travel restrictions. States and territories can apply their own travel restrictions. You are responsible for complying with travel restrictions and requirements that apply to you. |
|
| ☐ | Obtain your foreign vaccination certificate |
| If you were vaccinated overseas and you do not have an International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate you must obtain a certificate from the country in which you received your vaccination.
For more information see Guidance on foreign vaccination certificates. Keep a hard copy or an electronic copy of your vaccination certificate. Airlines will check this when you check-in to your flight. If you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons you must provide acceptable proof. If you are unable to meet the proof of vaccination requirements, you will not qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller for international travel purposes. You will need to follow the border processes for unvaccinated travellers when leaving or coming to Australia. |
|
| ☐ | Complete a Digital Passenger Declaration within 72 hours before your flight |
| All passengers arriving by air into Australia should complete the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD), unless they are flight crew.
You can start your DPD seven days before your flight and submit it within 72 hours prior to your departure for Australia. This is because you must provide your health information and declaration (vaccination status and COVID-19 test result) within 72 hours before your flight. The DPD requests details that are considered critical health information. Passengers must provide evidence that the critical health information was completed before boarding the aircraft. This is an enforceable requirement. A person who fails to comply with the requirement may be liable to a civil penalty (fine) of 30 penalty units (currently $6,660 AUD). This is set out in section 46 of the Biosecurity Act 2015. Passengers who do not make the declaration before they board their flight may be delayed when arriving in Australia. |
|
| ☐ | Undertake a pre-departure COVID-19 test |
A negative COVID-19 test result is required for travelling to Australia. When you check-in to your flight you need to provide:
You can find information about the evidence you need to provide at the Department of Health. You can also find information about exemptions from pre-departure testing. If your flight is delayed, you will still be considered to have met the pre-departure testing requirements. You will not need a new test. However, if your flight is re-scheduled or cancelled, you will need to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR or other NAAT test taken no more than 3 days before the re-scheduled flight, or a Rapid Antigen Test taken under medical supervision within 24 hours before the re-scheduled flight. See the Department of Health website for information about:
You are responsible for checking testing and proof of vaccination requirements for the airline you are travelling with and any countries you transit. |
|
| ☐ | At the airport |
Travellers need to be prepared to present to airlines:
It is your responsibility to ensure you meet the requirements of the airline you are travelling with and any countries you will transit. |
Hello Captain Our border re-opens for vaccinated visitors from March 31st. In the interim please direct your questions to Brenda Christian, Police and Immigration at: immigration@pitcairn.gov.pn All the best Heather Check out our Pitkern Island Artisan Gallery: https://pitkernartisangallery.pn/ Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PitcairnIslandsTourism Sign-up for our newsletter or visit https://tinyurl.com/PitcairnNewsletterSignup Heather Menzies | Travel Coordinator | Adamstown, Pitcairn Islands| Website | www.visitpitcairn.pn |Email: tourism@pitcairn.pn |tel: 00 64 9 984 0165
The Vanuatu Tourism Office is excited to announce that Vanuatu will open its borders to fully-vaccinated international travelers from 1 July, 2022 with no quarantine or arrival caps.
Health Alert: Vanuatu, Community Transmission of COVID-19
Location: Port Vila, Vanuatu
The first case of community transmission of the COVID-19 virus has been detected in Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu. The Ministry of Health has enacted a curfew between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. effective March 5-8, 2022. All schools and work places have been closed, and church gatherings, social events, and public gatherings are prohibited on Efate and its offshore islands. All inbound and outbound travel by sea and air to/from Efate island is prohibited. Military roadblocks have been reported and may appear without warning. Efate island is at Alert Level 2; all other islands remain at Level 0.
In Vanuatu, from 3 January 2020 to 4:12pm CEST, 25 June 2021, there have been 3 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 0 deaths, reported to WHO. As of 16 June 2021, a total of 5,140 vaccine doses have been administered.
Solomon Islands To Reopen Borders In July '22
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has announced the full reopening of international borders, commencing on 1 July 2022.
Cabinet has approved the reopening of borders, following recommendations from the Border Opening Committee of the COVID-19 Oversight Committee.
This move comes after the eventual easing of COVID-19 restrictions from last month, which means domestic restrictions will be lifted by the end of May 2022.
This will see the lifting of restrictions on domestic shipping and travel through domestic ships and aircraft, lifting restrictions on mass gatherings such as churches, weddings, sporting activities, nightclubs and lifting restrictions on international cargo vessels.
In relation to incoming international travellers, the post arrival quarantine period for all international travellers will drop to 6 days from 1st June 2022 at the latest.
This easing of restrictions simply means that from 1 July 2022 foreign nationals wishing to enter the country no longer have to apply for exemption through the oversight committee starting from this date.
However, all pre-arrival health requirements will be strictly applied to ensure we can still protect the country as much as possible from possible new variants of COVID-19 that may inadvertently enter the country.
This means all incoming travellers must have a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival, in addition to a negative RAT test within 12 hours of arrival. Only people that have completed their vaccinations will be allowed to enter the country from overseas, except for children that cannot be vaccinated.
Sogavare further announced that it is likely that “we might still retain a shorter quarantine period of 3-days after the full opening of our borders on July 1”.
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has announced the full reopening of international borders, commencing on 1 July 2022.
Cabinet has approved the reopening of borders, following recommendations from the Border Opening Committee of the COVID-19 Oversight Committee.
This move comes after the eventual easing of COVID-19 restrictions from last month, which means domestic restrictions will be lifted by the end of May 2022.
This will see the lifting of restrictions on domestic shipping and travel through domestic ships and aircraft, lifting restrictions on mass gatherings such as churches, weddings, sporting activities, nightclubs and lifting restrictions on international cargo vessels.
In relation to incoming international travellers, the post arrival quarantine period for all international travellers will drop to 6 days from 1st June 2022 at the latest.
This easing of restrictions simply means that from 1 July 2022 foreign nationals wishing to enter the country no longer have to apply for exemption through the oversight committee starting from this date.
However, all pre-arrival health requirements will be strictly applied to ensure we can still protect the country as much as possible from possible new variants of COVID-19 that may inadvertently enter the country.
This means all incoming travellers must have a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival, in addition to a negative RAT test within 12 hours of arrival. Only people that have completed their vaccinations will be allowed to enter the country from overseas, except for children that cannot be vaccinated.
Sogavare further announced that it is likely that “we might still retain a shorter quarantine period of 3-days after the full opening of our borders on July 1”.
In Solomon Islands, from 3 January 2020 to 4:12pm CEST, 25 June 2021, there have been 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 0 deaths, reported to WHO. As of 10 June 2021, a total of 21,469 vaccine doses have been administered.
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