Closure of All Ports of Call for Cruise Ships in French Polynesia until April 11th, 2020

This Wednesday, March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) qualified the Covid-19 epidemic as a global pandemic.

A first case of coronavirus is confirmed in French Polynesia. French Polynesia is now in phase 1, with the activation of the ORSEC plan (emergency sanitary plan) and the Crisis Command Center of the French High Commission, to curb the introduction of the virus into the territory.

It is essential to preserve all the resources of the French Polynesian health system for the treatment of confirmed cases on land, and in dedicated hospital structures in the islands.

The transport of passengers by cruise ship to French Polynesia, and in particular remote archipelagos, must therefore be subject to specific measures.

The French State and French Polynesian authorities have therefore decided to suspend all cruise calls in French Polynesia. This decision takes effect immediately until April 11th, 2020. This period may be reassessed or even renewed depending on the international situation.

The ships currently sailing to French Polynesia must reroute to the closest international port of their choice.

All the turnaround ships currently within our exclusive economic zone must return to the Port of Papeete, where they will be authorized to disembark their passengers, to allow their repatriation to their respective home countries. The ship’s health report must be sent to the authorities before berthing.

However, no new passenger will be authorized to embark on one of these cruise ships.

The technical details of the disembarkation for each vessel will be communicated by their respective port agents to their companies or by the Tahiti Cruise Club.

The repatriation or accommodation details of concerned passengers will be coordinated with the Ministry of Tourism, the international airline companies and hotel chains present in Tahiti.

(Soure: Tahiti Tourisme news release 11th March)

Download the official statement – March 11th 2020
Download the decree n° HC496AEM March 11th 2020