New Caledonia bans flights for another three months

New Caledonia has extended its ban on most commercial international flights for another three months because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The government also said the 14-day mandatory quarantine for arriving passengers would be upheld.

It said an exception to the ban is a weekly flight from France via Japan, which could be increased in frequency to up to three if quarantine places were available.

The government also approved a flight every two weeks to and from Sydney.

300 hotel rooms are being used to accommodate arriving travellers, with the costs covered by the New Caledonian government.

Cruise ships and fishing vessels are still not allowed within New Caledonian waters.

French-registered yachts, however, can enter New Caledonian waters but they need to advise the authorities of their arrival and self-isolate for two weeks.

New Caledonia recorded 22 Covid-19 cases which were imported.