New Caledonia, Tahiti end pre-departure tests for tourists

The most recent nations to stop requiring Covid pre-departure testing for tourists are New Caledonia and French Polynesia.

No longer will passengers from New Zealand flying to Noumea be required to present documentation of a negative covid test in order to board a plane.

To qualify, travellers must still be immunized and come from a nation with a "green" or "orange" risk rating. Every arrival will still be required to complete a RAT within 48 hours of arriving in the nation. With a plane ticket or other form of valid identification, pharmacies will give you these for free.

With the first Aircalin flight touching down in New Zealand on May 8, the French overseas territory resumed air connections this month. Beginning in July, Air New Zealand will resume service in Noumea.

Pre-departure screenings for visitors from the US, New Caledonia, and New Zealand have also been eliminated in Tahiti. Beginning on May 18, travellers who have received a vaccination will no longer be required to present the results of a Covid-19 test.

Without a "compelling reasons" declaration, unimmunized tourists from low-risk nations may also arrive French Polynesia. Tourists who are unvaccinated and are over 12 years old must still present negative RT-PCR results less than 72 hrs prior to travel.

This month, the national airline Air Tahiti Nui resumed service between Papeete and Auckland. Beginning in July, when Air New Zealand resumes service to Tahiti, the airline will increase service to three times weekly.