Coronavirus COVID-19 - Travel Information
Papeete, April 7th, 2021
Travel restrictions to French Polynesia
Faced with the resurgence of COVID-19 cases around the world and in order to preserve French Polynesia which has for its part, shown significant improvement for several consecutive weeks, on February 3, 2021, the authorities decided to temporarily suspend travel to French Polynesia for tourists from all origins. This restriction remains in place for April 2021 and will be updated as soon as the authorities have more information on a reopening date.
As of Wednesday, February 3rd, travel is authorized only for travelers who can justify one of the compelling reasons (health, professional, family, return home) as described on the website of the High Commission. This measure is planned for an initial period of three months.
The President of French Polynesia made the official announcement during a press conference on Wednesday April 7, that The Islands of Tahiti will reopen to tourism as of May 1 ! A new sanitary entry protocol will be specified in the coming days.
Until April 30, for travelers with a compelling reason, the existing health protocol remains unchanged.
All travelers aged 11 and over who travel to French Polynesia by air are subject to the following mandatory conditions:
-
-
- Prior to boarding:
- Proof of a negative RT-PCR test (any RT-PCR test listed on this FDA site is allowed) carried out within three days prior to their international air departure. If the result is not obtained in due time, a certificate of completion of the RT-PCR test must be presented to the airline company, together with a negative result to an antigen test performed on the day of boarding. Any antigen test listed on this FDA site is acceptable for the same-day test in the event the RT-PCR test result was not received. Self-tests are not accepted.
- Present the receipt of the health registration from the Etis.pf platform (Electronic Travel Information System).
- Present the certificate of derogatory travel HERE and the declaration on honour HERE completed and signed.
- Prior to boarding:
-
- During the stay:
- Every traveler is subjected to a 10-day quarantine in strict isolation in Tahiti only:
=> in a dedicated site at passengers’ own expense:The fixed financial contribution to the costs of the stay is fixed at 6,000 Fcfp per day and per person over eleven years old. This rate includes accommodation, three daily meals, health surveillance and transportation from the airport to the dedicated accommodation. Other expenses (telephone, dry cleaning, concierge service…) are the exclusive responsibility of the persons.=> or at home:The request for home quarantine must be completed 72 hours before the departure flight to French Polynesia by the passenger. Download the home quarantine request form HERE to be sent to the following address: [email protected]
=> The traveler may request an exemption from the quarantine limited to Tahiti under the same sanitary conditions, when travel to another island can be carried out by private air, thus avoiding any contact with the population.
- Carry out two RT-PCR test: 1st self-test on the 4th day of the quarantine and 2nd test on the 8th day. If your test is negative and you do not show any symptoms of COVID, you will be released from isolation on day 11. If your test is positive, you will be immediately contacted by the BVS and informed of the procedure to follow.
- Every traveler is subjected to a 10-day quarantine in strict isolation in Tahiti only:
- During the stay:
-
- Prior to departure (returning in United States only):
- Beginning January 26, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires all passengers 2 years of age or older on a flight to the United States, regardless of their immunization status, to present at check-in :
- A negative result from a Covid-19 viral test carried out within 3 days prior to their international flight;
- or, in the case of a previous Covid-19 infection within the last 3 months prior to departure, a positive viral test result, along with an official letter from a physician indicating that the passenger has made a full recovery and is authorized to travel;
- The possible options for testing prior to departure are available HERE. For travelers who could not carry out their test before reaching the international airport, antigenic testing are available at Tahiti Faa’a Airport. Hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Travelers staying in the islands need to ensure to reach Tahiti no later than 4:00 p.m to have enough time to get tested at the airport’s Covid Center.
- Beginning January 26, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires all passengers 2 years of age or older on a flight to the United States, regardless of their immunization status, to present at check-in :
- Prior to departure (returning in United States only):
-
Also, the authorities of French Polynesia have declared a state of health emergency with the application of reinforced measures through April 30, 2021.
A curfew is in effect on the islands of Tahiti and Moorea. All trips, circulation or movement in public areas are prohibited, every day, between 10:00 pm and 4:00 am through April 30, 2021 with the possibility to be extended. The official statement can be downloaded on the website of the High Commission. Find the curfew terms and conditions in the frequently asked questions.
Here are the conditions to prepare your stay:
-
Since the reopening of the borders on July 15, 2020, The Islands of Tahiti have applied a common policy of canceling and modification to allow travelers to make reservations in full confidence
-
- RT-PCR Test
Proof of a negative RT-PCR test (any RT-PCR test listed on this FDA site is allowed) carried out within three days prior to their international air departure. If the result is not obtained in due time, a certificate of completion of the RT-PCR test must be presented to the airline company, together with a negative result to an antigen test performed on the day of boarding. Any antigen test listed on this FDA site is acceptable for the same-day test in the event the RT-PCR test result was not received. Self-tests are not accepted.
Ex: If the flight departs on a Monday at 11pm, the passenger needs to take the test the preceding Friday.
The results of this test must be negative and will need to be presented to airline staff upon check-in prior to boarding the flight to French Polynesia.
No boarding will be allowed if the test is positive.
- Sanitary entry form online (Etis.pf)
After obtaining the negative test results, each adult must fill out a digital Sanitary entry form online on the dedicated platform (Etis.pf) mainly agreeing to:
- Respect the prevention measures and all health safety instructions issued by the authorities of French Polynesia for the pre-boarding phase, during the flight, disembarkation and throughout the stay;
- Call the emergency health line at 40 455 000 in case of cough, fever or respiratory difficulty. If the traveler feels any sign of distress, they should dial “15” (emergency services);
- Submit to the health surveillance system established by the government of French Polynesia which, among other health protocols, mandates a self-test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus 4 days after arrival French Polynesia;
- Have travel insurance or personally assume all expenses related to cost of care including hospitalization, confinement, or repatriation, should the visitor fall ill during their stay;
- Provide information about the stay in French Polynesia (except for residents) : itinerary, inter-island transport, accommodation (e-mail contacts / telephone / dates of stay).
The Sanitary entry form is to be completed online on the dedicated digital platform ETIS.pf [Electronic Travel Information System].
Once completed a receipt with an ETIS number will be issued by email;
A printout of this receipt must be presented upon check-in together with the test results in order to be able to board the flight to French Polynesia and both documents will need to be presented upon arrival at Tahiti’s Faa’a international airport.
The printout receipt of the health engagement form is to be kept with the traveler at all times and in all places during their stay in French Polynesia.
In order to find a certified Covid19 testing facility, you may want to check the following web sites :
For the United States :
- Good Life Medical Services, in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
- EqualTox Laboratory, near LAX, Los Angeles, California (closed on weekends)
- Reliant Urgent Care, Multiple Locations in Los Angeles, California
- My Doctor Medical Group, San Francisco, California
-
- Application of International Air Transport Association (IATA) travel health protocol will be applied (at airports and on board the plane);
- Wearing mask during the flight.
-
- Wearing a mask is mandatory (from the age of 11 years old):
- in all enclosed places and ERPs,
- in certain open-air public spaces (parks, markets, garage sales, etc.),
- in the vicinity of certain places (schools, airports, ferry terminals, places of worship, sports facilities, etc.),
- on public transport,
- during authorized gatherings (funeral ceremonies, protest events, professional gatherings, guided tours, etc.).
- Respecting prevention measures at all times and in all places;
- In case of a change of itinerary, travelers should update the “itinerary” part of their file on the Etis.pf website;
- Every traveler is subjected to a 14-day quarantine in strict isolation in Tahiti only:
=> in a dedicated site at passengers’ own expense:The fixed financial contribution to the costs of the stay is fixed at 6,000 Fcfp per day and per person over eleven years old. This rate includes accommodation, three daily meals, health surveillance and transportation from the airport to the dedicated accommodation. Other expenses (telephone, dry cleaning, concierge service…) are the exclusive responsibility of the persons.=> or at home:The request for home quarantine must be completed 72 hours before the departure flight to French Polynesia by the passenger.
Download the home quarantine request form HERE to be sent to the following address: [email protected].
- Carry out two RT-PCR test: 1st self-test on the 4th day of the quarantine and 2nd test on the 8th day. If your test is negative and you do not show any symptoms of COVID, you will be released from isolation on day 11. If your test is positive, you will be immediately contacted by the BVS and informed of the procedure to follow.
- Self-diagnosis of visitors: in case of doubt on the traveler’s state of health (fever and/or flu symptoms), they are required to contact the reception of their accommodations and/or call directly to (+689) 40 455 000. If they feel any sign of distress, they should dial “15” (emergency services);
- Depending on the diagnosis made by the Health Authorities, follow their instructions which may include isolation measures and / or carrying out an additional RT-PCR test.
- Wearing a mask is mandatory (from the age of 11 years old):
-
The Islands of Tahiti Testing Locations
With the list of nations requiring negative COVID-19 tests to be taken prior to departure continuing to expand.
The list of current options for travelers that are required to take a test prior to departure :
-
If you have already booked your stay in The Islands Of Tahiti, we recommend that you consult the website of your airline company:
-
“According to Article 6 of the aforementioned decree, the High Commissioner of the Republic may grant individual exemptions to cruise ships wishing to call, stop or anchor in French internal waters and territorial sea” – Art.12 of Order No. HC 3099 CAB of October 20, 2020.
Consult the website of your cruise company:
-
“It is forbidden for any pleasure boat arriving in French Polynesia to call, anchor or park, or disembark at sea any person in the internal waters and territorial sea of French Polynesia until further notice”. – Art.13 of the Order No. HC 3099 CAB of October 20, 2020.
-
-
We send the latest information on our dedicated newsletter
-
