Pacific Covid update
by Island Cruising NZ 19 Sep 2021 16:47 NZST
Pacific Covid update © Island Cruising NZ
New Zealand has cases of the Delta strain of Covid in the community and the whole country is now in a various levels of lockdown & restrictions. Please note these updates can change any time!
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for extra information.
New Zealand
The New Zealand Maritime border is still closed. NZ has cases of Delta in the community and is currently in lockdown.
New Zealand vessels are able to enter New Zealand provided the skipper is reasonably satisfied that every person on board is either a New Zealand citizen or meets New Zealand's visa requirements.
Foreign flagged vessels are not permitted to arrive unless certain criteria are met and permission has been granted by New Zealand's Director-General of Health. Additionally, any non-New Zealand citizens on board must meet the necessary visa requirements. Permission must be sought from Immigration New Zealand for nonNew Zealand citizens on board to enter New Zealand.
Vessels may be exempt if there is a compelling need for the vessel to arrive in New Zealand for:
- reprovisioning and/or refuelling
OR
- the purpose of delivering the vessel to a business which includes for the purpose of repairing or refitting the vessel
AND
- the Director-General has granted the vessel permission to arrive in New Zealand.
A vessel may also be exempt if the Director-General has granted permission for the vessel to arrive in New Zealand for humanitarian reasons or other compelling needs.
Contact us for more information if you are planning on coming to NZ.
Fiji
Fiji is looking to reopen for tourism as soon as 80% of the population is vaccinated, which could be as early as December 2021. They are looking forward to welcoming us on the Pacific Circuit Rally next year.
Vanuatu
All ports of entry are closed until further notice.
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands Maritime border is closed. People who have been in New Zealand for 14 days can fly in to the Cook Islands without quarantine. We have heard of one yacht sailing from Tahiti to NZ that was permitted to stop in Aitutaki to take on extra kiwi crew and spare parts. The sailors were unable to go ashore.
New Caledonia
The borders to New Caledonia remain closed until further notice. But they are also anticipating being open in 2022. Plans for the Groupama Regatta are under way and they are also looking forward to welcoming the Pacific Circuit Rally in 2022.
Tonga
Tonga's maritime border is closed until further notice.
Samoa
International borders remain closed until further notice.
Australia
The maritime border is closed. Only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can enter Australia by sea. All crew must be isolated in mandatory quarantine. Accommodation for 14 days on arrival.
You must provide arrival information in advance. People in New Zealand can fly across the Tasman but the maritime border is still closed.
We are working with our partners Down Under Rally to lobby for the Trans-Tasman maritime border to open as well.
Niue
The Niue border is closed to all yachts until further notice.
French Polynesia
Is now in a two-week hard lockdown. 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. Our friends at Tahiti Crew are keeping us posted with any updates.
International cruisers in Europe with boats in NZ
Non-NZ citizens are still not permitted to enter NZ via air to access their boats. Some have chosen to ship their vessels home or sell them here in NZ. Others continue to wait for the borders to reopen.
Join Sailors with Covid Immigration Issues NZ Facebook group for more information.