SPTO Member Countries’ Consolidated Response to 2019 Novel Coronavirus 7th April 2020

1. American Samoa:

• The Governor of American Samoa has declared a continued public health emergency and a state of emergency
• All entry permits are suspended until further notice
• American Samoa’s response will be guided by a colour coded system to meet the changing threat level
• Code Blue is currently in place and you can learn more about what this entails here
• This declaration will be in place for 30 days, expiring on 1^st May 2020
• The full advisory can be accessed here

2. Cook Islands:

• From 11:59pm, Tuesday 24th March 2020 CKT, every person seeking entry to the Cook Islands, including returning Cook Islanders and Cook Islands residents will be required to meet a minimum of 14 days quarantine in New Zealand.
• Cook Islands residents affected by these restrictions are urged to contact Te Kauono Tuatara e te Mana Tiaki – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) headquarters in Rarotonga on email chere.arthur@cookislands.gov.ck or phone 29 347 and 79254 and the Cook Islands High Commission in Wellington on firstsec@cookhicom.org.nz or phone +64 4 472 5126 and +64 021 273 1299
• Air Rarotonga interisland air services have been suspended until 30^th April, 2020
• More information on travel restrictions and updates can also be sought from the Cook Islands Ministry of Health website and the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation website

3. Federated States of Micronesia:

• Persons travelling from China, since January 6^th 2020, are banned from entering FSM as long as the COVID-19 pandemic persists
• All FSM citizens are banned from travelling to Mainland China and to any country, state or territory with confirmed cases of COVID-19
• Exceptions may be granted for both of the above and this is detailed in the advisory
• United Airlines (Currently the only Airline flying to FSM) has cancelled the daily flights and is limiting its service to 1 flight a week.
• A detailed announcement can be found here

State of Pohnpei:  

• A state of emergency has been declared
• All incoming passengers on flights and vessels are required to have a medical certificate and will be quarantined for 14 days Dekehtik isolation area.
• The quarantine period may be reduced as determined by the Department of Health
• A detailed announcement can be found here

State of Chuuk:

• All travelers to Chuuk from countries, states or territories which are infected by COVID-19 shall be prohibited from entering Chuuk unless the traveler spent at least 14 days prior in a country with no recorded cases of COVID-19
• Travelers from Hawaii will need to spend 14 days in Pohnpei prior to traveling to Chuuk and travelers from Guam will need to be quarantined for 14 days prior to traveling to Chuuk
• In the event that Pohnpei State or Guam record positive cases of COVID-19, no travelers shall be allowed to enter Chuuk State.
• The full advisory can be accessed here

4. Fiji:

• As of 26^th March, the Nadi International Airport is closed until further notice
• The city of Lautoka continues to be under quarantine
• Social gatherings of more than 20 people have been banned nationwide
• Inter-island flights and shipping services (except for cargo) have been suspended
• A nationwide curfew (from 10pm to 5am daily) will take effect from 10pm, Monday 30^th March until further notice
• Keep abreast of these restrictions by regularly checking Fiji’s Ministry of Health website, which can be accessed here

5. French Polynesia:

• All international flights have been suspended
• A ban on any public and private gatherings has been enforced
• All shops, except for supermarkets, service stations and pharmacies, will be closed.
• All inter-island travel, including domestic flights, is suspended
• The Tahiti Tourisme website is updated regularly and can be accessed here for further information on the above restrictions

6. Kiribati:

• Citizens and residents of Kiribati who are planning to travel to areas and territories in countries with sustained transmission are recommended to avoid non-essential travel
• In the event that travel cannot be postponed; preventive measures should be adhered to at all times.
• All Travelers from areas and territories in countries with local transmission of novel coronavirus must spend 14 days in a country free of the COVID-2019, and to provide a medical clearance to confirm and/or prove this coronavirus free status.
• The 14 days quarantine implies that traveling can only be on the 15th day onwards
• Exemptions for medical clearance can be considered for transit passengers and came from the Countries NOT listed in this travel health advisory (THA).
• In the event that travelers arrive earlier than the required 14-day-period, health quarantine measures may be applied and deportation to the country of travel origin would be considered depending on the health status of the individual.
• THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL COME INTO FORCE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
• All travelers are required to comply with the required preventive measures.
• For more information contact Kaaro Neeti (Secretary, MHMS) on (686) 74028100 extension 202; or (686) 73072357 or Director of Public Health 73058772, or Deputy Director of Public Health 73007258

• The full advisory can be accessed here

7. Nauru:

• Inbound flights from Brisbane to Nauru have been limited to once every fortnight.
• This is a measure to ensure that all inbound travellers are quarantined for 14 days. Travellers who arrived before the quarantine measure was implemented are required to present themselves to Health authorities for testing purposes if they have symptoms of COVID-19
• A State of Emergency of national disaster was declared on 16 March 2020, due to the COVID-19.
• A travel ban has been put in place for all government and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) employees until further notice.
• Citizens are advised to consider delaying all travel during the state of emergency.
• Government has stopped flights from Nauru into Fiji until further notice.
• Any positive cases will be isolated in a special facility.

Outbound (from Nauru)

• Nauruans and Government of Nauru Officials should avoid the following areas: Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.
• Any Country that Declares a National Outbreak of Coronavirus (This list correlates with those listed by others concerned with COVID-19 and is constantly updated).
• Any Country that Nauru Department of Health declares officially as a location of Outbreak Concern (none yet).
• For other countries with confirmed cases but not at outbreak levels, travellers are advised to take standard precautions.

 

8. New Caledonia:

• All flights to and from NC were suspended from Friday 20 March 00:00 pm; some additional flights may be allowed for NC citizens travelling abroad. They will have to undergo a strict quarantine (14 days) in hotels.
• All returning passengers (before Friday 20 March) showing no symptoms are confined at hotels while those identified as being contact persons will undergo a quarantine period (14 days).
• Confirmed COVID-19 patients have been placed in complete isolation at the Territorial Hospital whilst a separate quarantine center is operating in Koutio
• All shops excepts supermarkets, service stations and pharmacies will be closed;
• Schools are closed as well as public places; public services and economic stakeholders will encourage teleworking.
• An expanded detection strategy is also being implemented by the government
• The authorities in New Caledonia have extended the restrictions on gatherings and movement until 13 April.
• Full advisory with detailed information can be accessed here

9. Niue:

People intending to travel to Niue who have been in – The People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau), Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand within the last 14 days prior to travel, without written authorization from the Government of Niue, will be refused entry.

• All travellers who ordinarily reside in Niue should avoid non-essential travel to the countries listed above. However, should travel be undertaken, then returning travellers will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days upon return to Niue.
• Full advisory can be accessed here and any queries may be directed to Tasmania@mail.gov.nu

 

10. Papua New Guinea (PNG):

• All international flights have been banned for 1 week
• Papua New Guinea’s parliament has extended the country’s state of emergency for an additional two months.
• Those intending to travel to PNG are encouraged to check the official website of the Immigration and Citizenship Authority of PNG, which can be accessed here

 

11. Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI):

• An extension of the total suspension of international travelers coming into the RMI via air travel until May 5, 2020.
• All aircrafts that need to land in the RMI for refueling purposes must adhere to the National Disaster Committee approved Amata Kabua International Airport Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Periodic spot checks will be conducted on airport ground crew handling aircraft in the RMI. Ground crew not adhering to the strict no human-to-human contact protocols will be subject to immediate quarantine.
• Suspension of all domestic passenger air travel between Kwajalein and Majuro on international airlines. Air travel between Kwajalein and Majuro on Air Marshalls is still permitted.
• All cruise ships and yachts at this time are suspended from visiting the RMI until further notice.
• Full details on the Travel Advisory can be accessed here

 

12. Samoa:

• Except in exceptional circumstances with Cabinet approval, starting from 12am of Thursday morning, 26 March 2020, all international travel to and from Samoa by plane are ceased.
• Ship access to Apia wharf is limited specifically for the purposes of trade, fishing, and petroleum, and the Ministry of Health is required to continue with the approved medical clearance of all crew members.
• There shall be no public gathering of more than 5 people at any public place.
• There shall be no public gatherings of any sort which include but are not limited to:

(a) Church gatherings

(b) Sports events

(c) Entertainment gatherings.

• Further to the above, the latest travel advice issued by the Samoa Tourism Authority can be accessed here.
• For any needed assistance during the emergency period, contact Tupa’i Robert Ah Sam robert@samoa.travel (Ph: 720-7284) or Su’a Hesed Ieremia hesed@samoa.travel (Ph: 724-7865) of the Samoa Tourism Authority, as it has now activated its Disaster Response Center, working closely with the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) and other relevant Government Agencies.

13. Solomon Islands:

• Effective immediately all non-citizens will not be permitted to enter the Solomon Islands.
• Incoming Solomon Islands Citizens and residents who travelled through any country reporting cases of COVID-19(Coronavirus) will be permitted to enter however, will undergo mandatory strict quarantine for 14 days.
• Upon arrival all travelers and crew must provide details of their international travel history for the period of 14 days prior to arrival in Solomon Islands.
• Any traveler or crew who is preparing to travel to the Solomon Islands should self-assess their health, and if thought to display symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, are strongly advised not to travel.
• Any air crew upon or after arrival in the Solomon Islands is mandated to report to Health authorities if they become unwell and display symptoms of the COVID-19 during the 14-day period after arrival.
• These measures shall not apply to Authorised Personnel with prior written approval of the Prime Minister.
• The full advisory can be accessed here
• and the following websites will also be regularly updated with the relevant information pertaining to travel:
• visitsolomons.com.sb
• customs.gov.sb
• ndmo.gov.sb

14. Tokelau:

• Noting the entry requirement for Samoa, individuals travelling from outside of Samoa who are booked to travel to Tokelau, need to provide a copy of the medical clearance for coronavirus that is required for entry into Samoa. This must be taken to the Tokelau Health Office or Tokelau Transport Officer in Apia for confirmation before travelling to Tokelau.
• Failure to show medical clearance will result in passengers having to stay in Samoa for 14 days, after which medical clearance will need to be obtained to confirm that the passenger is free of infectious disease
• Individuals who have been living in Samoa for more than 14 days will also need medical clearance
• Passengers from Tokelau travelling to Apia and abroad must act in accordance with Samoa Entry requirements
• The full travel advisory can be accessed here and queries may be directed to

15. Tuvalu:

• A state of public health emergency has been declared for the whole of Tuvalu
• New measures pertaining to entry requirements etc will be made available in due course

16. Tonga:

• All foreign nationals are now banned from entering Tonga, effective until 17^th April
• Tongan citizens and emergency officials will have to undergo a 14 day self-quarantine period
• Public gathering restrictions are also being enforced; 20 people (indoors) and 40 people (outdoors)
• Further information can be sought from Tonga’s Ministry of Health website, which is accessible here

 

17. Vanuatu:

• As of 20 March 2020, all Vanuatu ports of entry are now closed until further notice. This measure is taken to minimize the risks of importing COVID-19 into the country.
• Special consideration will be applied to foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations in Vanuatu on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with Vanuatu’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
• Special consideration will be provided for medical evacuations on a case-by-case basis in consultation with Vanuatu’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

 

FOR PERMANENT RESIDENTS AND CITIZENS OF VANUATU ONLY

• Returning permanent residents and citizens of Vanuatu are permitted to enter but must self-quarantine for 14 days on arrival before they can be allowed back to their families and communities.
• As of 20 March 2020, only general cargo boats, oil, gas and fuel tankers will continue to function as usual, with strict requirements. Fishing boats are excepted as long as they remain within the Vanuatu waters and will be monitored by the Fisheries department.
• The master of all foreign going vessels coming into Vanuatu MUST provide the following documentation to the Harbour Master and the Health Surveillance Team within 24 hours prior to arrival.

1. Voyage Memo (outlining all ports visited during the past 14 days)
2. Maritime Health Declaration (certifying health condition of crew and captain on board)
3. Vaccination List (outlining any case of outbreak on board).

• The full updated advisory for Vanuatu can be accessed here

 

18. Wallis and Futuna:

• As part of the protection of the populations of Wallis and Futuna with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government informs passengers of the mandatory measures applicable as of Thursday, March 19, 2020:

• The international flights initially scheduled respectively on Saturday 21 March and Monday 23 March 2020 to Nouméa (NC) are cancelled.
  2/ The next scheduled flight on Wednesday 25 March 2020 is maintained as follows:
• Noumea (Tontouta) – Nadi – Wallis only for priority cargo. No passengers will board at Nadi; meaning Wallis – Nadi – Nouméa (Tontouta) bilaterally reserved for regular freight and passengers.
• From Wednesday 25 March 2020, the periodicity of the flights between Wallis and Nouméa (Tontouta) will be carried out approximately every 10 calendar days.
• All passengers who arrived by the last flights from New Caledonia are currently confined to hotels requisitioned by the Government or at home.
• If flights are scheduled soon, all persons landing on the Territory will be placed in confinement for 14 days.
• In the event of the infiltration of the Covid-19 pandemic in Wallis and Futuna, hotels have been requisitioned by the Government to contain suspected or affected persons.