travel to new caledonia covid

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New Caledonia

Latest update.

Reconsider your need to travel to New Caledonia due to ongoing civil unrest and travel disruptions.

New Caledonia.pdf (PDF 875.64 KB)

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Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services.

Call 18.

Medical emergencies

Call 15 or go directly to the medical centre or hospital.

Call 17 or contact the nearest police station or gendarmerie.

Maritime emergencies

Call 16 or radio on VHF 16 – Inmarsat – MMSI.

Advice levels

Reconsider your need to travel to New Caledonia.

• We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to New Caledonia due to ongoing civil unrest and travel disruptions. Political tensions and unrest may increase at short notice. Avoid areas where violence occurs and be alert to personal safety risks. There’s an increased police and security presence.
• Security incidents, including arson and carjacking continue across the country. Political demonstrations and protests may turn violent at short notice. There's a nationwide curfew in place nightly between 10pm and 5am. Essential services are impacted. Continue to follow the advice of local authorities. 
• Australian officials have been advised to follow heightened security measures, including while travelling through New Caledonia. 
• You can access La Tontouta International Airport by road. This can change at short notice. Roads have been damaged, and many have blockades in place. You'll need to assess your situation before travelling. Follow the advice of local authorities.
• Aircalin and Qantas are operating a limited number of flights each week. Schedules can change at short notice. Check with your airline (website and social media pages) for the most up-to-date information and contact the airline as required. Tontouta International Airport also provides information on its website and Facebook page , including on registered private transport companies . 
• Australians needing emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (within Australia). The  Australian Consulate-General in Noumea is open during normal business hours.
• If you require emergency medical care, call 15, and duty doctors will assess whether they will send a doctor or ambulance or advise alternative medical care for you. 
• Car theft, vehicle break-ins and household break-and-enters occur. Look after your belongings and always lock your car and accommodation.
• Cyclone season is from November to May, but cyclones and severe weather can occur at any time. They can cause landslides and flooding and may disrupt essential services. For more information read the  New Caledonia's cyclone alert system website (in French).
• New Caledonia can experience earthquakes, tsunamis and bushfires. A tsunami can arrive within minutes of a tremor or earthquake. Monitor the websites of the  New Caledonian Department of Emergency Management  (in French with safety instructions in English for cyclone alert levels) and the  New Caledonian Weather Bureau  (in French) for updates. Your tour operator or accommodation provider may also be able to provide advice.
• The  Consular Services Charter  details what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
• For consular assistance in New Caledonia, contact the  Australian Consulate-General in Noumea

Full travel advice:  Safety

• Insect-borne diseases such as  Dengue ,  Chikungunya  and  Zika  are risks in New Caledonia. ​Ensure your accommodation is insect-proof, and use insect repellent. If you're pregnant, discuss the risks of Zika virus with your doctor before you travel. 
• Outbreaks of Leptospirosis  are common, especially after heavy rain. Wear closed-in shoes. Avoid swimming in rivers or muddy water. Store food in enclosed containers and use a straw when drinking from cans.
• Other foodborne, waterborne, parasitic and infectious diseases occur. These include influenza, scabies and conjunctivitis. Get treatment if you have itchiness or skin lesions. In rural areas, drink boiled or bottled water. Tap water is generally safe to drink in towns.
• The standard of medical facilities in Noumea is high, but those in outlying areas are basic. Medical treatment is expensive. Search and rescue facilities are limited. Some parts of New Caledonia don't have mobile phone coverage. Ensure your travel insurance covers all your medical conditions and medical evacuation.

Full travel advice:  Health

• Understand the local laws. New Caledonia is an overseas territory of France. A mix of French and local laws apply. You must always have photo identification with you. 
• Under French marriage equality law, same sex marriage is legal in New Caledonia. New Caledonia remains socially conservative and visible same-sex relationships are not widely accepted outside Noumea. 
• Outside of tourist areas, standards of dress and behaviour are conservative. Dress and behave appropriately.
• You need permission from customary authorities to visit certain areas. If in doubt, follow local advice.

Full travel advice:  Local laws

• You likely won't need a visa for a tourist visit of up to 3 months. However, the total length of your stay must not exceed a total of 90 days over a period of 180 days (6 months). Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the  Consulate-General of France in Sydney or the Embassy of France  for the latest details.
• International passenger flights to and from New Caledonia may be suspended with little or no warning.
• Travel insurance is mandatory for entry to New Caledonia.
• Entry protocols apply to private sailboats and cruise ships visiting New Caledonia. All immigration procedures have to be completed in Noumea, with some approvals required prior to arrival.

Full travel advice:  Travel

Local contacts

• For consular assistance in New Caledonia, contact the  Australian Consulate-General in Noumea .

Full travel advice:  Local contacts

Full advice

Civil unrest and political tension, security situation.

We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to New Caledonia due to ongoing civil unrest and travel disruptions. Political tensions and unrest may increase at short notice. There’s an increased police and security presence.

Security incidents, including arson and carjacking continue across the country. Political demonstrations and protests may turn violent at short notice. There's a nationwide curfew in place between 10pm and 5am. Essential services are impacted.

Australian officials have been advised to follow heightened security measures, including while travelling through New Caledonia.

You can access La Tontouta International Airport by road. This can change at short notice. Roads have been damaged, and many have blockades in place. You'll need to assess your situation before travelling. Follow the advice of local authorities. You can make your own way to the airport or hire the services of a registered transport company (Tontouta International Airport link to registered private transport companies -  Navettes | CCI Nouvelle-Calédonie Aéroports ).

Aircalin and Qantas are operating a limited number of flights each week. Schedules can change at short notice. Check with your airline (website and social media pages) for the most up-to-date information and contact the airline as required. Tontouta International Airport also provides information on its website and Facebook page .

Australians needing emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (within Australia).

If you require urgent medical care, call 15. Duty doctors will assess whether they will send a doctor or ambulance or advise alternative medical care for you.

Demonstrations and protests

There's an ongoing risk of politically motivated protests and civil unrest.

Demonstrations and protests and other events that draw large groups of people can quickly turn violent. 

To protect yourself:

• avoid demonstrations, public gatherings and roadblocks
• monitor the media and other sources for potential unrest
• follow the advice of local authorities

Politically-motivated protests, strikes and industrial disputes can lead to social unrest. They often disrupt essential services, including:

• local transport
• domestic flights
• international flights

If there's a protest or strike:

• check for up-to-date flight information before going to the airport
• ask your tour operator if it affects tourist services
• follow the instructions of local authorities

Demonstrations and protests may increase in the days leading up to and on days of national or commemorative significance. These include: 

• New Caledonia Day (24 September)
• 13th of each month (the anniversary of the 13 May protests)

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Swimming safety

Several shark attacks occurred in 2023. A fatal attack claimed the life of an Australian tourist in February at Chateau Royal Beach, following two similar attacks at the same beach in January and February, which resulted in life-threatening injuries.

Shark-proof nets have been installed in Noumea at sections of the Baie des Citrons and Chateau Royal-Meridien beaches. Watersports and swimming outside of these areas are permitted on an “own risk” basis. 

Both beaches are patrolled daily by lifeguards from 8.45am to 5pm during December to April and from 8.45am to 4pm during May to November. Chateau Royal-Meridien beach is open only during lifeguard surveillance hours. See the  Noumea Town Hall website (in French) for any updates on the lifeguard surveillance hours. Follow the advice and instructions of local authorities at all times.

More information on understanding shark safety in New Caledonia is available on the  New Caledonia Tourism  website (in English). 

Beaches in New Caledonia may be closed at short notice due to bad weather, shark sightings or during shark-catching campaigns. A red flag with a shark logo means beaches have been closed due to a shark sighting or shark-related incidents. Be alert to warning signs and follow the advice of local authorities at all times.

Beach evacuation procedures in New Caledonia may be less developed than those in Australia.

New Caledonia Tourism  advises visitors to:

• avoid areas where it is risky to swim, including ports, boat moorings, marinas, murky waters near drainage outlets or river mouths, and the Nouville Peninsula area in Noumea
• avoid swimming after periods of heavy rain or other weather events that agitate the water
• avoid swimming at dawn and dusk
• swim close to shore
• only swim at patrolled beaches that use a flag system. 

Patrolled beaches use the following flag system:

• Green flag: supervised swimming and no particular danger
• Orange flag: supervised swimming but dangerous conditions
• Red flag: swimming is prohibited
• A red flag with a shark logo: the beach has been closed due to a shark sighting or shark-related incident.

More Information:

• Water sports and activities
• Rescue and Surveillance Operational Center of New Caledonia (COSSNC) with information (in French) on shark risk .

Tours and adventure activities

Transport and tour operators don't always follow safety and maintenance standards. This includes adventure activities, such as scuba diving.

If you plan to do a tour or  adventure activity :

• check if your travel insurance policy covers it
• ask about and insist on minimum safety requirements
• always use available safety gear, such as life jackets or seatbelts

If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.

Roadside security incidents can occur suddenly. Dangerous incidents include:

• stone-throwing

Major routes have been affected.

Local authorities can close major roads without warning.

Petty crime

Car theft, vehicle break-ins, petty thefts and household break-and-enters occur.

Drink spiking can happen. If you're drugged, you'll be more vulnerable to theft and  assault .

To protect yourself from petty crime:

• look after your belongings when you're in public
• lock your car, hide your belongings and keep windows up
• don't leave food or drinks unattended
• never accept drinks, food, gum or cigarettes from strangers or new friends
• Partying safely

Cyber security 

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth. 

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media. 

More information:  

• Cyber security when travelling overseas  

Kidnapping can happen anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are typically at lower risk.   

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.  

More information:  

• Kidnapping  

Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. Terrorists may target tourist areas or other places frequented by foreigners and where large crowds may gather.

Climate and natural disasters

New Caledonia experiences  natural disasters  and  severe weather , such as:

• earthquakes  and  tsunamis

The  New Caledonian Department of Emergency Management (Sécurité Civile – DSCGR)  (in French) responds to natural disasters and severe weather. Safety instructions are available in English for cyclone alert levels. 

A free crisis hotline is activated if there's a natural disaster or emergency. The emergency hotline is +687 05 05 05 (French). Your tour operator or accommodation provider may also provide timely advice.

To protect yourself if a natural disaster occurs:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• monitor local media and other sources
• keep in contact with friends and family

Get weather reports and disaster updates:

• Météo France Nouvelle-Calédonie  (in French)
• Fiji Meteorological Service
• Australian Bureau of Meteorology
• Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• Joint Typhoon Warning Center, US Navy

Follow the advice on staying safe when there's a natural disaster .

If you're travelling during cyclone season or after a natural disaster, contact your airline or tour operator to check if services are affected.

Cyclones and severe weather

Cyclone season is from November to May, but cyclones and severe weather can occur at other times.

The direction and strength of cyclones can change suddenly.

Cyclones and severe weather can bring:

• flooding waves on shore areas
• flooding and landslides
• disruptions to infrastructure and essential services

If there's a cyclone or severe tropical storm:

• you may get stuck in the area
• flights could be delayed or suspended
• available flights may fill quickly
• access to seaports could also be affected
• adequate shelter may not be available

New Caledonia has a 4-phase cyclone alert system:

1. PRE-ALERT: potential cyclone activity in the weather observation zone of New Caledonia — follow weather forecasts and bulletins ( Emergency Management New Caledonia - Pre-Alert instructions in English )

2. ALERT 1: a cyclone is approaching and may reach New Caledonia in the next 18 hours — prepare for a cyclone ( Emergency Management New Caledonia - Alert 1 instructions in English )

3. ALERT 2: a cyclone will hit New Caledonia in less than 6 hours — protect yourself and stay indoors ( Emergency Management New Caledonia – Alert 2 instructions in English ) 

4. SAFEGUARD PHASE: a cyclone is moving away — remain alert ( Emergency Management New Caledonia – Safeguard Phase instructions in English ) 

If a cyclone is approaching:

• know the evacuation plan for your hotel or cruise ship
• identify your local shelter
• monitor  New Caledonian Department of Emergency Management (Sécurité Civile - DSCGR)  (in French) with safety instructions in English for cyclone alert levels
• monitor  Météo France Nouvelle-Calédonie  (in French) for  cyclone updates
• monitor local radio

Once the SAFEGUARD PHASE is announced:

• take care leaving your shelter
• look out for debris
• avoid fallen electrical wires

Flooding and mudslides

Heavy rains can cause flooding and mudslides. These can lead to:

• deaths and injuries
• destruction of property
• evacuations

Earthquakes and tsunamis

New Caledonia occasionally experiences  earthquakes  and  tsunamis .

Tsunamis can happen within minutes of a nearby tremor or earthquake.

Ask your tour operator, host or accommodation provider about local procedures and what to do during an earthquake.

Tsunami risks are higher:

• in the East Coast
• in the Loyalty Islands
• in the Isle of Pines

To prepare yourself for earthquakes and tsunamis, you can:

• subscribe to tsunami alerts from the  Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• get earthquake updates from the  US Geological Service
• get tsunami updates from the  US Tsunami Warning Center

If there's an earthquake or tsunami:

• monitor tsunami updates
• move to higher ground if you're in a coastal or low-lying area

If you're near the coast, move immediately to high ground if advised by local authorities or if you:

• feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
• feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
• see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

Don't wait for official warnings such as alarms or sirens.

Once on high ground, monitor local media.

After an earthquake:

• expect aftershocks
• be prepared for delays and changes to your travel plans
• ask your travel agent and tour operators to confirm travel services and accommodation bookings
• New Caledonian Department of Emergency Management (Sécurité Civile – DSCGR) Earthquake information  (in French)
• New Caledonian IRD (French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development) seismological network  (in English)
• New Caledonian Department of Emergency Management (Sécurité Civile – DSCGR) Tsunami information  (in French)

New Caledonia can experience  bushfires .

Bushfires usually occur from September to February. They can occur in other months.

To protect yourself from bushfires:

• look and listen out for bushfire warnings
• New Caledonian Department of Emergency Management (Sécurité Civile - DSCGR) Bushfire information  (in French)

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for entry to New Caledonia and must cover all medical and hospitalisation expenses and repatriation costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

You may need to present your travel insurance certificate when departing for and arriving in New Caledonia.

Medical costs are high. For example:

• an intensive care bed could cost more than $A5,500 per day
• ambulance transfers can cost over $A1,250
• a helicopter evacuation within New Caledonia costs over $A6,500

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  tailored to your mode of transport (e.g. cruise ship) and region of travel before you leave. Ensure your travel or medical insurance covers you for existing conditions and medical evacuation.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care and more for your return to Australia with medical assistance.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Cruise ship evacuations

Australians have been evacuated from cruise ships in New Caledonia (Noumea, Loyalty Islands or Isle of Pines) to Noumea by air ambulance and then taken by road ambulance to Gaston Bourret public hospital in Dumbea or to Kuindo-Magnin private clinic in Noumea. Some insurance claims have been refused, often due to pre-existing conditions. Many international  cruises  stopover in New Caledonia. To reduce your risks if you plan to travel on a cruise ship:

• check the onboard medical facilities are suitable
• understand the costs of onboard medical treatment
• buy travel insurance that covers your circumstances
• French High Commission in New Caledonia  (in French)
• New Caledonia Tourism , including  visas and entry requirements  (in English) 

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest  Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Medications

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check with relevant authorities if it's legal in New Caledonia. Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• Your required dosage
• that it's for personal use
• Consulate-General of France in Sydney  including information on customs and  medicine for personal use
• French Customs Directorate in New Caledonia  with  information for travellers , including  authorised goods  and customs regulations applicable to  private yachts  (all in French)

Health risks

Insect-borne diseases.

Insect-borne diseases such as  Dengue ,  Chikungunya  and  Zika  are a risk in New Caledonia, especially in the warmer and wetter months.

If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care recommends you:

• discuss travel plans with your doctor
• consider deferring non-essential travel to Zika-affected areas

To protect yourself from disease:​ ​

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, a rash, diarrhoea or a severe headache.

• Health Department of New Caledonia (Direction des Affaires Sanitaires et Sociales - DASSNC)  (in French)
• DASSNC disease-specific information and reporting procedures , including  DASSNC Health Diseases  (in French)
• Infectious diseases

Leptospirosis

Small outbreaks of  leptospirosis  are common. More serious outbreaks can happen after heavy rainfall.

To protect yourself against leptospirosis:

• wear closed-in shoes
• avoid swimming in rivers or muddy water
• store food in enclosed containers
• don't drink straight from cans — use a straw
• remove rubbish from around your home

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases occur. These include: 

• conjunctivitis
• COVID-19  (Australian Department of Health and Aged Care)
• Actualité COVID-19 | Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie  (in French)

It's generally safe to drink tap water in towns.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids in rural areas
• attend to symptoms, such as itchiness and skin wounds
• avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads
• Health Department of New Caledonia (Direction des Affaires Sanitaires et Sociales – DASSNC)  (in French)
• Infectious diseases  

Medical care

Medical facilities.

The standard of medical facilities in New Caledonia is generally high. However, search and rescue facilities are limited. The difficult terrain limits quick access.

During a crisis, some medical facilities may be closed. Access may also be difficult or restricted, including opening hours of emergency wards. Check the websites and Facebook pages of these facilities for the most up-to-date information. If you require urgent medical care, call 15. Duty doctors will assess whether they will send a doctor or ambulance or advise alternative medical care for you. You may be taken to the hospital or advised how to make your way to the nearest medical centre or hospital.

Mobile pho ne coverage may be limited in some parts of the main island. Mobile network coverage is available on the  New Caledonian Postal and Telecommunications Directorate  (OPTNC).

In the Southern Province:

• Centre Hospitalier Territorial (CHT) Gaston Bourret  (in French) is the main public facility at the Koutio Medipole in Dumbea, and their emergency ward is open 24/7.
• Clinique Kuindo-Magnin  (in French) is the main private facility in the suburb of Nouville in Noumea, and their emergency ward is open daily from 7am to 11pm.

In the Northern Province, the main public hospitals are:

• Koumac (Hôpital Paula-Thavoavianon)  – has emergency, general medical and mid-wife services.
• Poindimié (Hôpital Raymond Doui-Nebayes)  – has general, physical and rehabilitation, continuing care services.
• Koné (Pôle Sanitaire du Nord)  – has emergency, general medical, surgery, anaesthesia, maternity, operations, day-care and continuing care services.

The only decompression chamber is in Noumea ( SCADEM - Travaux sous-marin Nouvelle-Calédonie  (in French)).

Many popular dive sites are on other islands. If there's an accident, it may take several hours to reach medical facilities.

Medical costs are high. Make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation and your planned activities.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our  Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

New Caledonia is an overseas territory of France. A mix of French and local laws apply.

• Travel advice for France

Penalties for drug offences, even small amounts, include fines and imprisonment. 

• Carrying or using drugs

Proof of identity

You must always carry ID.

LGBTQIA+ information

Under French law, same-sex marriage is legal in New Caledonia.

However, outside Noumea, you may encounter more conservative attitudes.

• Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

France recognises dual citizenship.

• Dual nationals

Local customs

Outside of tourist areas, dress and behaviour standards are conservative. Take care not to offend.

Visits to certain areas, including popular fishing and maritime areas, may require prior authorisation from the relevant customary authorities.  This is carried out through engaging in a 'coutume' (customary acknowledgement gesture). 

• North Province Tourism Group, Custom  (in French)
• New Caledonia Tourism – Traditions, Customs and Etiquette  (in English)

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

You likely won't need a visa for a tourist visit of up to 3 months. However, the total length of your stay must not exceed a total of 90 days over a period of 180 days (6 months). 

You may need to show proof of:

• sufficient money for your stay
• return or onward travel ticket
• adequate travel or health insurance covering medical and hospitalisation expenses as well as any repatriation costs, including medical evacuation
• the purpose of your visit

In other situations, you'll need a visa issued by the  French representations in your country of residence  and, subject to your circumstances, a work permit issued by the Government of New Caledonia. Further information is also available (in French) on the French High Commission in New Caledonia website.

New Caledonia is an overseas territory of France.

Contact the Consulate-General of France in Sydney or the Embassy of France in Canberra  for up-to-date information on visa requirements. 

Border measures

Check with your airline or travel provider on minors' travel regulations, including those travelling unaccompanied.

Entry protocols apply to private sailboats and cruise ships visiting New Caledonia. All immigration procedures must be completed in Noumea, with some approvals required before arrival. During a crisis, arrivals by sea may be prohibited or restricted by local authorities. Private sailboats must contact the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) for clearance to come to New Caledonia, with Noumea being the mandatory port of entry.  Contact your airline, cruise line, local port agent, tour operator or local employer, for the latest updates. 

• French High Commission in New Caledonia  with entry conditions to New Caledonia by foreign nationals (in French).
• Rescue and Surveillance Operational Center of New Caledonia (COSSNC) with up-to-date information (in English) for private sailboats .

Other formalities

Some goods aren't allowed in New Caledonia.  Other goods require specific approvals or other formalities.

• New Caledonian Department for Animal, Food and Rural Affairs  (Direction des Affaires Vétérinaires, Alimentaires et Rurales – DAVAR) including  Information for travellers  (both in French) and a  list of products not requiring import permit or biosecurity-sanitary certificates  (in English).
• Customs Directorate in New Caledonia , including information for travellers  arriving by air  or on  private yacht  (all in French)

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules.   Check your passport's expiry date before you travel with the  French authorities in Australia . If you're not sure it'll be valid for the required period, consider getting  a new passport . 

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible.

• In Australia, contact the  Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest  Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier 

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers. 

• LGBTQIA+ travellers  

The local currency is the Pacific Franc (XPF).

Declare all amounts over 10,000 euros (or equivalent) on arrival and departure. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

Australian dollars are accepted by some businesses.

Change Australian dollars for XPF at banks and authorised exchange bureaus.

There are ATMs and credit card facilities in Noumea and other major centres.

Take enough cash if you're travelling to remote areas.

• New Caledonia Currency | New Caledonia Tourism & Travel  (in English)

Local travel

New Caledonia Tourism  provides information on getting around New Caledonia by road, air and sea.

Travel disruptions

Industrial and political disputes, as well as strikes, can cause disruptions to essential services, including transport links. Monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities (see  Safety ).

Road travel

You can drive in New Caledonia on a valid Australian driver's licence for up to one year after arrival.

To find out about driver's licences and driving regulations:

• Visit the  New Caledonian Department of Infrastructure and Land Transport , including information on  foreign licences  (in French)
• Visit the  New Caledonian Public Service  website, which includes information on alcohol limits.

On the road:

• drivers may be unlicensed or drunk
• vehicles may be poorly maintained
• vehicles may be uninsured

You could encounter:

• carjackings

These incidents are uncommon but dangerous (see  Safety ).

Leave the area quickly and safely if stones are thrown at your car.

If you plan to drive:

• check your travel insurance covers it
• learn local traffic laws and practices
• keep your car windows up and doors locked
• don't drink and drive
• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Make sure your travel insurance covers you when using a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet.

Hire a taxi from a taxi rank or make a phone booking. Book your taxi in advance. Long delays are common. Some taxis may decline going to certain geographic areas.

In Noumea, taxi rank locations and tariffs are available on the website of the  Southern Province Tourism Office  (in French). The Noumea Central Taxi number +687 28 35 12 is available for bookings 24/7.

You can only hail a taxi from the street in Noumea if it's located more than 100 metres from a taxi rank.

Some taxis only accept cash. Others may accept payment by credit card.

Other municipalities in New Caledonia have taxi services. Check the website of the  relevant city hall (municipality) from the New Caledonian Government website  for further information.

Public transport

New Caledonia Tourism provides information on  all transport services  available (in English), 

Buses operate throughout Grande Terre (the main island). Check the Taneo bus services' website  and Facebook  page (in French) for the most up-to-date information as services are currently suspended until further notice. Maritime shuttles may be put in place during a crisis, monitor the Taneo website and Facebook page for further information.

On other islands,  public transport  is limited.

Passenger ferries run from Noumea to:

• Île des Pins
• Maré, Lifou and Ouvéa in the Loyalty Islands

Many international  cruises  stopover in New Caledonia. See  Health

• Travelling by boat

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check  New Caledonia's air safety profile  with the Aviation Safety Network.

For information on domestic flights, check the Air Caledonie Facebook  and website .

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, you should contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Call 15 - duty doctors will assess whether they will send a doctor or ambulance or advise alternative medical care for you. You may be taken to the hospital or advised how to make your way to the nearest medical centre or hospital.

Call 17 or 1022 or contact the nearest police station or gendarmerie.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the  Consular Services Charter  for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

For consular assistance in New Caledonia, contact the Australian Consulate-General in Noumea.

Australian Consulate-General, Noumea

Norwich Building Level 2 11 rue Georges Baudoux Artillerie, Noumea, New Caledonia Phone: (+687) 27 24 14 Consular assistance email:  [email protected] Website:  noumea.consulate.gov.au Facebook:  Australia in New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna Twitter:  @AusCGNoumea

The public telephone line (+687 27 24 14) and consular assistance mailbox of the Australian Consulate-General in Noumea ( [email protected] ) are monitored regularly during business hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, except public holidays).

Outside of office hours, if you require urgent consular assistance, please follow the prompts (details below) to be connected to the 24/7 Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra.

Check the Consulate-General website for details about opening hours, any temporary closures and other information useful to your circumstances.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact the Consulate-General, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to New Caledonia?

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Covid-19 Travel Updates

• Coronavirus COVID 19

As of May 15, 2023, all COVID-19 formalities in New Caledonia have been lifted. Our French Pacific Paradise warmly welcomes you back without any restrictions. Here’s what you need to know.

Stay up to dates with travel conditions

To stay up-to-date with the latest information, check official sources of information regularly, including:

• High Commission of the French Republic in New Caledonia
• Government of New Caledonia
• Check flight status at Nouméa La Tontouta airport
• For Passports, Visas and Customs information, please visit our dedicated page .

Subscribe to our newsletter and official pages for real-time information:

• New Caledonia Tourism newsletter
• New Caledonia Tourism Facebook page

Last update: May 16, 2023

COVID-19 formalities no longer apply to enter New Caledonia:

• No more mandatory isolation at home or in a hotel upon arrival.
• Justification of a compelling reason, arrival tests, and affidavits are no longer required.
• Yachts are permitted to stop over without special permission and disembark ashore.
• Large cruises have been authorised since October 4, 2022.

Since May 15, 2023, COVID-19 is now treated like other “common” respiratory illnesses. The exceptional measures related to the virus are no longer in effect. For details, visit the New Caledonia Government website .

If you experience symptoms of a respiratory infection, consult a doctor. Testing will be conducted at the doctor’s discretion, either by the doctor or at a pharmacy. You can find a list of pharmacies offering COVID-19 tests here .

If you exhibit symptoms or test positive, it is advisable to avoid contact with vulnerable individuals and follow safety measures such as wearing a mask and maintaining physical distance.

Yes. Travel insurance or health coverage (with minimum coverage of 30,000 € – AUD 50,000) is mandatory to cover potential medical repatriation, urgent medical care, and emergency hospital treatment.

Yes, travel insurance must cover potential expenses related to COVID-19.

As a French overseas territory, New Caledonia boasts a healthcare system and medical infrastructure that meet international standards . Public hospitals in Nouméa and Koné are modern and among the most advanced in France. All healthcare professionals in the archipelago, including doctors, nurses, and surgeons, hold French or European qualifications, ensuring safe and effective care. Treatment is free of charge for French nationals.

Travel advice

While COVID-19 travel conditions have been lifted, it is strongly recommended to wear masks on planes, in airports, and in places visited by vulnerable individuals , such as doctor’s offices, healthcare facilities, and social services establishments.

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Info COVID-19

• Last update: 28 March 2022

NEW-CALEDONIA NOW OPEN

► With an improved COVID situation and a good vaccination rate, the Government of New Caledonia has decided to reopen its borders to countries with a similar vaccination policy since 1st December 2021 ► A PCR or RAT test is mandatory for all foreign travellers aged 12 and over, less than 24 hours before the flight for New Caledonia. ► A RAT test is mandatory on site for all foreign travellers aged 12 and over,  2 days after their arrival in New Caledonia. ► No more seven-day self-isolation at home or at the hotel on arrival for vaccinated foreign travellers. ► International boats, except cruise ships, are now allowed to enter New Caledonia.

HOW TO BE INFORMED ABOUT ENTRY PROTOCOLS ?

• Consult the official information channels on a regular basis: – This page – Flight status at Nouméa La Tontouta International Airport:  www.aeroports.cci.nc – Aircalin flight schedule:  au.aircalin.com – Current government restrictions (Gouv Nc):  gouv.nc/info-coronavirus-covid-19/main-facts
• Subscribe to our newsletter and official pages to be informed as soon as it is possible to travel to New Caledonia again: – New Caledonia Tourism newsletter – New Caledonia Tourism Facebook page

CONDITIONS TO ENTER NEW CALEDONIA

Travelling to new caledonia by air, vaccinated foreign travellers from a green zone country.

All travellers aged 12 years and over need to:

• submit either a PCR or RAT negative test result carried out less than 24 hours before the flight for New Caledonia. The test must be supervised and verified by a medical professional (clinic labs or some GP or pharmacies) with a written record provided either digitally or on paper.  This should be presented at check-in.
• complete a declaration on honour concerning the Covid test after their arrival and present it at boarding (see translation HERE).
• take a RAT test 48h after their arrival and keep the proof of the negative test result. RAT tests can be done in pharmacies – List of pharmacies HERE .

They are no longer subject to the prophylactic vaccination in New Caledonia. See the country map by colour.

Vaccinated foreign travellers from an orange or red zone country

• submit either a PCR or RAT negative test result carried out less than 24 hours before the flight to enter New Caledonia.  The test must be supervised and verified by a medical professional (clinic labs or some GP or pharmacies) with a written record provided either digitally or on paper.  This should be presented at check in.
• complete a declaration on honour concerning the Covid test after their arrival and present it at boarding (see translation HERE ).

They are no longer subject to the prophylactic vaccination in New Caledonia. See the country map by colour.  

The accepted full vaccination scheme are  (see translation HERE ):

• Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca vaccines: 7 days after the second dose or immediately after a dose given following prior infection with Covid-19. A booster dose is required if the 2nd dose is more than 9 months old.
• Janssen vaccine (1 dose + 1 dose of mRNA* vaccine after 1 or 2 months): 7 days after the 2nd dose. A booster dose of mRNA* vaccine is required if the 2nd dose is older than 9 months.
• Covishield, R-Covi, Fiocruz vaccines (2 doses or 1 dose + 1 dose of mRNA* vaccine): 7 days after the 2nd dose. An booster dose of mRNA* vaccine is required if the 2nd dose is older than 9 months. 
• Sinopharm, Sinovac, Covaxin vaccines (2 doses + 1 dose of mRNA* vaccine): 7 days after the 3rd dose.

* Pfizer or Moderna

For those under 12, the Covid vaccine and test are not required on arrival in New Caledonia.

Non-vaccinated foreign travellers from a green, orange or red zone country

All non-vaccinated travellers aged 12 years and over must :

• provide evidence of a compelling reason for travel to the destination (see translation HERE )
• submit either a PCR or RAT negative test result carried out less than 24 hours before the flight to enter New Caledonia.  The test must be supervised and verified by a medical professional (clinic labs or some GP or pharmacies) with a written record provided either digitally or on paper.  This should be presented at check in
• complete in French a declaration on honour concerning the performance of a Covid-19 tests after their arrival and on the seventh day of isolation, and present it at boarding (see translation in English HERE )
• take a RAT test 48h after their arrival and keep the proof of the negative test result. RAT tests can be done in pharmacies List of pharmacies HERE
• comply with a prophylactic week on arrival**

** Travel from the airport to the isolation site is the responsibility of the traveller. The journey from the airport to the place of isolation is the responsibility of the traveller and must be made as soon as possible, by relatives or a passenger transport, in strict compliance with the barrier gestures and distancing. During these seven days, health recommendations must be followed.  At the end of the seven-day isolation period, the traveller must undergo an antigen test carried out under the supervision of a health professional. This can be done in a pharmacy, free of charge, upon presentation of the airline ticket. If the result is negative, the isolation ends. If the result is positive, the person is subjected to a further ten days of isolation and must contact a doctor. 

See the country map by colour

For those under 12, the Covid vaccine and test are not required on arrival in New Caledonia.  

Travel insurance

It is mandatory for foreign travellers outside the European Union.  

Travelling to New Caledonia by sea

International boats, except cruise ships, are now allowed to enter New Caledonia – Requirements are the same as travellers coming by air.

End of Covid pass (QR Code app) in New Caledonia

Since 14 March 2022, the Covid pass is only required if you need to go to local health, social and medico-social establishments. To obtain a conversion of a foreign QR code into a New Caledonian Covid pass, please make your request on demarches.gouv.nc .

European standard health infrastructure

As a French overseas territory, New Caledonia benefits from a health system and medical infrastructure that meet the highest international standards. The public hospitals in Noumea and Koné are very recent and are among the most modern facilities in France. All the medical staff working in the archipelago (doctors, nurses, surgeons, etc.) have French or European diplomas, guaranteeing safe and efficient care.  

INFORMATION ON OPENINGS, TEMPORARY CLOSURES AND SUSPENSIONS OF BUSINESS FOR HOTELS AND TRAVEL AGENCIES/TOURS

Hotels temporarily closed to the public: Le Méridien Nouméa Tour companies temporarily closed: Noumea Discovery, Noumea Travel Specialist, South Pacific Tour, Land Com, Transat Tour

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New Caledonia (France) Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for New Caledonia (France).

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil
• Avoid floodwater

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites.

Chikungunya

• Mosquito bite
• Avoid Bug Bites
• Mosquito bite
• An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in New Caledonia, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the  Department of State Country Information Pages  for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in New Caledonia. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Note: Zika is a risk in New Caledonia. For more information, see Zika Virus in New Caledonia .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in New Caledonia include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call New Caledonia’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of New Caledonia may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in New Caledonia, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for New Caledonia (France) for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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New Caledonia Travel Restrictions

Traveller's COVID-19 vaccination status

Travelling from the United Kingdom to New Caledonia

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in enclosed environments and public transportation.

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Can I travel to New Caledonia from the United Kingdom?

Most visitors from the United Kingdom, regardless of vaccination status, can enter New Caledonia.

Can I travel to New Caledonia if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United Kingdom can enter New Caledonia without restrictions.

Can I travel to New Caledonia without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United Kingdom can enter New Caledonia without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter New Caledonia?

Visitors from the United Kingdom are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering New Caledonia.

Can I travel to New Caledonia without quarantine?

Travellers from the United Kingdom are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in New Caledonia?

Mask usage in New Caledonia is not required in enclosed environments and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in New Caledonia?

Restaurants in New Caledonia are open. Bars in New Caledonia are .

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

New Caledonia travel advice

Latest updates: The Need help? section was updated.

Last updated: August 15, 2024 11:05 ET

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Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, new caledonia - avoid non-essential travel.

Avoid non-essential travel to New Caledonia due to heightened political tensions and civil unrest.

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Political situation and civil unrest

On May 13, 2024, ongoing demonstrations against constitutional reforms became violent in New Caledonia. Arson and looting have taken place during the riots.

There are shortages of food, medical supplies, and fuel.

A nightly curfew is in place from 10 pm to 5 am.

During the curfew, certain bans are in place, such as:

• unauthorized public gatherings
• alcohol sales
• transportation of weapons

Flights have partially resumed and the La Tontouta International Airport has reopened.

The situation remains volatile and could escalate without notice.

If you are in New Caledonia:

• limit your movements
• exercise caution
• monitor local media to stay informed of the evolving situation
• avoid areas where security forces are present
• contact your transport carrier to determine whether the situation could disrupt your travel
• follow the instructions of local authorities, including curfew orders

Petty crime is prevalent. Car theft and vehicle break-ins also occur. Ensure that your personal belongings, including passports and other travel documents, are secure at all times.

Spiked food and drinks

Drink spiking occurs. Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations occur from time to time. Roadblocks and marches may occur on main roads at any time and with little or no notice. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Public transportation

Buses connect all major towns and villages. There is a ferry service between Nouméa and other islands. 

Adventure activities

Safety standards for adventure activities, such as diving, may not be up to international standards. If engaging in adventure activities:

• never do so alone and always hire an experienced guide from a reputable company
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• ensure that you are properly equipped and well informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary, including when you expect to be back to camp
• ensure the company, operator or guide you are using is properly certified
• inspect equipment to make sure it is in proper working condition and use all available safety equipment, such as harnesses, life jackets or helmets

Water activities

In certain areas, like Nouméa, sharks pose a risk to swimmers. To reduce the risk of deadly shark attacks, local authorities have set up temporary supervised swimming areas.

• Follow the instructions and warnings of lifeguards
• Respect the flag warning system, which provides notice of water conditions and safety risks on beaches
• Follow the directives of local authorities

Road safety

All main roads on Grande Terre are paved. Intoxicated and unlicensed drivers pose a hazard on the roads. Cars are often poorly maintained and uninsured. Poor lighting, wandering livestock and pedestrians on the road pose a hazard at night on secondary roads.

Incidents of road blockages, carjacking and objects being thrown at vehicles, while not frequent, do occur and can be very dangerous.

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the French authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave New Caledonia.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days Residence visa: required Work visa: required Business visa: required Student visa: required

Other requirements

Customs officials may ask you for:

• proof of accommodation covering the duration of your stay
• sufficient funds to cover your whole stay
• a return or onward ticket
• Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• Zika virus: Advice for travellers - 31 August, 2023
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever   is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is required if you are coming from or have transited through an airport of a country   where yellow fever occurs.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.
• Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care professional.
• Contact a designated  Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre  well in advance of your trip to arrange for vaccination.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada * It is important to note that  country entry requirements  may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest  diplomatic or consular office  of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country. The level of risk may vary by:

The virus that causes chikungunya is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can cause fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times.

Learn more:

Insect bite and pest prevention Chikungunya

• In this country,   dengue  is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue.

Zika virus is a risk in this country. 

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be sexually transmitted. Zika virus can cause serious birth defects.

During your trip:

• Prevent mosquito bites at all times.
• Use condoms correctly or avoid sexual contact, particularly if you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should discuss the potential risks of travelling to this destination with your health care provider. You may choose to avoid or postpone travel. 

For more information, see Zika virus: Pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Medical facilities are generally good on the main island, but limited on the other islands. Due to the difficult terrain in certain areas, emergency response can be limited. You may need medical evacuation in case of illness or injury.

There is only one hyperbaric (decompression) chamber located in Nouméa. It could be far from your chosen diving location. Keep this in mind when choosing diving destinations.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Health and safety outside Canada

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Transfer of Sentenced Persons

Canada and France are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in France or a French territory to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and French authorities.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in France.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of France, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Dual citizens

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and France.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in New Caledonia, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the New Caledonian court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in New Caledonia to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children's Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• The Hague Convention – Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

2SLGBTQI+ persons

While French law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex, public displays of affection might offend local sensitivities.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

You should carry an international driving permit. If you reside in New Caledonia, you may be able to exchange your Canadian licence for a local permit.

• More about the International Driving Permit
• Steps to exchange a foreign permit - New Caledonia’s infrastructure, topography and land transport department (in French)

Dress and behaviour

To avoid offending local sensitivities:

• dress conservatively outside of tourist areas
• behave discreetly
• respect religious and social traditions

The currency is the Comptoirs français du Pacifique franc or the CFP franc (XPF).

ATMs and credit card facilities are widely available in Nouméa. If travelling to remote areas, bring a sufficient supply of cash.

On arrival and departure, you must declare if carrying any combination of currencies amounting to 10,000 Euro or more.

Cyclone season 

Cyclones usually occur from November to April. These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services.

If you decide to travel to New Caledonia during the cyclone season:

• know that you expose yourself to serious safety risks
• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities
• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
• Large-scale emergencies abroad
• Latest weather and alerts  – Météo France (French meteorological service) (in French)
• Latest cyclone news  – New Caledonia’s public safety bureau (in French)

Severe rainstorms occur and can lead to flooding and landslides, which in turn can cause extensive damage to infrastructure and can also hamper the provision of essential services.

Seismic activity

New Caledonia is located in an active seismic zone. Tsunamis may occur after a strong earthquake and can travel long distances across the Pacific.

In case of an earthquake, follow the instructions of local authorities.

Bush and forest fires are common between September and February. In case of a major fire, stay away from the affected area. Always follow the instructions of local emergency services personnel. Monitor local media for up-to-date information on the situation.

The air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke. It could affect you if you have a respiratory ailment.

Forest fire risk information - Météo France (in French)

Local services

• 18 in case of fire
• 15 for medical emergencies
• 17 for police

Consular assistance

There is no resident Canadian government office in New Caledonia. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information from the Consulate General of Australia to New Caledonia, in Nouméa, under the Canada-Australia Consular Services Sharing Agreement.

Sign up to receive email updates from the Australian government on situations and events that could affect your safety while in New Caledonia.

Smartraveller   - Australian travel advice

Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Guam, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Northern Marianas, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu

For emergency consular assistance, call the High Commission of Canada in Australia, in Canberra, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

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New Caledonia Travel Advisory

Travel advisory june 4, 2024, new caledonia - level 3: reconsider travel.

Updated to reflect change to Travel Advisory Level 3.

Reconsider travel to New Caledonia due to  civil unrest and crime .

U.S. citizens should reconsider travel to New Caledonia or consider departing by commercial or other privately available transportation options, in light of the current security situation and infrastructure challenges following riots related to electoral reform in May 2024. The French Government has taken and/or could take additional measures, including declaring a state of emergency, curfews, restrictions on freedom of movement, ID verification, and increased security inspections. Follow any state of emergency measures imposed in your province.

Protests, demonstrations, tire burning, and roadblocks are frequent, unpredictable, and have turned violent. During civil unrest, commercial transportation may become unavailable without warning for U.S. citizens wishing to depart New Caledonia. The U.S. government is extremely limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in New Caledonia – assistance on site is available only from local authorities.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to New Caledonia.

If you decide to travel to New Caledonia: 

• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Do not attempt to drive through roadblocks.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Formulate departure plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.   
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter/X.
• Review the  Country Security Report  for New Caledonia.   
•  Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel. 
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .    

Travel Advisory Levels

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Riot-stricken New Caledonia is empty of travellers. Businesses hope it can regain its place as a Pacific tourism jewel

Topic: Tourism and Leisure Industry

Nouméa's beaches are empty of tourists after riots broke out in New Caledonia last month over electoral reforms. ( ABC News: Nicolas Job )

Nestled between banana trees and palms on the outskirts of New Caledonia's capital, Anne Fonua's guesthouse and two tour buses sit empty.

Before civil unrest erupted in the French Pacific territory last month, her diary was filled with bookings from cruise ship passengers and other visitors arriving soon in Nouméa.

"Everything was cancelled," Ms Fonua said.

Anne Fonua's tour business in New Caledonia has been at a standstill since customers started cancelling bookings in May. ( Supplied: Anne Fonua )

Blessed with pristine beaches, lagoons and coral reefs, New Caledonia was a jewel in Pacific tourism hoping to grow its share of Australian tourists.

Travel to the archipelago came to a startling halt in May, when violent turmoil broke out over French plans to add thousands of voters who have been in the territory for 10 years to electoral rolls.

It's a reform many fear will dilute the Indigenous Kanak vote in future referendums on independence.

Tourism operators wait in limbo — and in hope of a peaceful solution.

"We need to stay positive," said Gateaway Shore Tours guide Alfred Nauka, whose weeks are usually filled showing Australians and other tourists around New Caledonia.

"However, being here and actually seeing and facing and living through all that's going on since May, definitely doesn't help me in keeping a positive mindset."

New Caledonia's capital Nouméa is usually popular with tourists from Australia, New Zealand and Europe. ( ABC News: Nicolas Job )

His business was recovering after COVID border closures, before the deadly unrest began on May 13.

"We have lost the totality of our income since then," Mr Nauka said.

Frederic Ballo of Nouméa Turtle Tour, usually busy with tourists, has seen none for about 50 days.

"We hope and we do everything we can to continue. We're adapting day-by-day," he said.

New Caledonia's business and tourism groups say 41,000 bookings have been cancelled, and the halt has cost several billion francs in turnover.

Pro-independence protesters continue to erect road blockades, and unrest last week spread beyond the capital.

"Obviously we can't transport our clients in such conditions," Mr Nauka said.

He believes it will take years to rebuild New Caledonia, once peace returns.

"I don't see how our business can survive this."

'We need peace'

Four decades of peace opened New Caledonia as a destination for Australians seeking a tropical getaway.

It had been on Andrea Bold's bucket list for 30 years when she booked a family holiday there.

She was planning visits to the Isle of Pines and Nouméa in June, before she saw the territory's civil disorder unfold in the news.

Nine people, including two police officers, were killed as violence erupted over France's attempt to push through the electoral reforms.

More than 3,000 international visitors stranded in the tumult , including Australians, were evacuated from New Caledonia.

"We watched it for about a week, and it was very clear that things weren't going to get better quickly, so we made the decision to cancel the trip," Ms Bold said.

Qantas gave her a credit for the family's cancelled flights between Australia and Nouméa.

Curfews were imposed as riots broke out in Nouméa. ( AP Photo )

She hasn't been able to reach anyone in New Caledonia about refunding her domestic flights.

After waiting several weeks, her travel insurer agreed to pay her claim for money lost on cancelled bookings.

Ms Bold was saddened to see how cancellations had affected tourism businesses.

"They've lost their livelihoods in the space of a couple of weeks," she said.

New Caledonia will stay firmly on her bucket list, but she expects a long wait.

"I can't imagine when we would go. And from what I've heard, there's a lot of rebuilding to happen in Nouméa. There's a lot of burnt buildings."

A Nouméa car dealership burnt during the height of New Caledonia's riots in May. ( AFP: Theo Rouby )

Before the turmoil, New Caledonia's tourism was recovering from COVID border closures, receiving more than 125,000 international tourists and 340,000 cruise ship passengers in 2023.

Most of its recovery was driven by increases in Australian, New Zealand and French tourists compared to 2019.

But there was room to grow, and tourism was viewed as an important industry as New Caledonia looked to develop its economy outside nickel mining.

The territory drew 24,000 Australian tourists last year, half the number compared to neighbouring Vanuatu (51,000), and a fraction of the number visiting Fiji (390,000).

A national park in Great South on New Caledonia's main island, one of the territory's tourist attractions. ( Supplied: Anne Fonua )

Mimsy Daly, president of business group Mouvement des Entreprises de Nouvelle-Calédonie, said businesses were ready to invest in the industry before recent events crashed the economy.

There were plans to open a new five-star hotel in the Loyalty Islands, east of New Caledonia's main island.

"All of this has been put to an end by the unrest."

P&O Cruises Australia and Carnival Cruise Line have cancelled 10 visits to Nouméa between June and August, re-routing to Vanuatu.

Air New Zealand has paused flights to Nouméa until September, while Qantas and Fiji Airways have not announced when they'll resume services to New Caledonia.

New Caledonia's international airport partially reopened earlier this month, and the territory's international carrier, Air Calin, is operating a limited schedule of flights.

Pro-independence protesters kick back tear gas canisters in a clash with French gendarmes removing a roadblock in Dumbéa last week. ( AFP: Delphine Mayeur )

Tourism businesses, industry leaders and the government say New Caledonia is many months away from being able to host tourists.

In a recent survey, about 50 per cent of tourism operators said they believed they could resume business within three months if the unrest subsided.

A fresh surge in violence last week, after French authorities sent seven pro-independence activists to France for detention, may have dashed any hopes of a quicker return for tourism.

French police forces removed roadblocks set up by pro-independence supporters in Nouméa after a renewed surge in unrest last week. ( AFP: Delphine Mayeur )

"For now, we don't feel safe. Mostly, it's complicated in New Caledonia to go from one place to another," Ms Daly said.

"We need peace. We need a political solution that is long lasting, that can guarantee that peace will be lasting as well."

Surviving, and hoping

In a bid to quell the unrest, France sent 3,000 troops and police to New Caledonia in May. Some hotels in Nouméa were requisitioned to accommodate the forces.

Other businesses are still looking for relief from the halt in tourism, and are concerned for their finances.

Debt repayments for a new bus weigh on Ms Fonua, who hopes her bank can give her some reprieve.

Erin Mattei, who operates La Belle Verte Canopy Tours, a zipline in Nouméa, believes she can continue her business if local people are able to visit.

"We survived the COVID crisis. I am going to do everything I can to keep our business open," she said.

Further north on New Caledonia's main island, Kiara Mediara, who operates Chez Élise guesthouse, is cooking with wood fires due to gas shortages.

"We're keeping our heads up and we're moving forward. I remain positive for the future of Kanaky," she said.

"I hope that things will calm down and that tourism will get back to what it was, because we like to share our knowledge and our culture with everyone."

Anse Vata beach in Nouméa, one of the city's drawcards for visitors to New Caledonia. ( Supplied: Anne Fonua )

But Ms Daly said the business community was concerned about the future of tourism operators outside Nouméa.

"We are pretty worried that for a long time, there will be no activity. And we are working closely with the French government to see if we can find ways to [keep] these companies living for the time being."

Tourism is only one of the industries devastated in New Caledonia's turmoil.

Ms Daly said the territory's unemployment was at 20 per cent, up from about 5 per cent before the violence erupted.

"We have lost most of our commercial distribution capacity in the Nouméa area," she said.

"Forty per cent of the food stores have been destroyed. Other commercial areas have been totally destroyed as well, the automobile sector, the industry sector in some areas.

"It's happened all of a sudden. And we need to figure out how we can manage the country now, in this new situation."

The electoral reforms have been suspended because of France's parliamentary elections, which begin today, and many in New Caledonia hope talks about a political solution to the unrest can start soon.

The territory's main tourism body, Nouvelle-Calédonie Tourisme, aims to have international visitors returning in the last quarter of 2024.

When it comes time to rebuild New Caledonia, Ms Daly said tourists will play a major part.

"We will be very happy to welcome tourism again," she said.

Ms Fonua said messages of support from her former customers have lifted her spirits during a dark chapter.

Her message for people overseas is to think positively about New Caledonia.

"Once things open up, I'm sure that a lot of tourists will come back in, because a lot of areas for tourism are not spoiled."

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New Caledonia

Before you travel check that: 

your destination can provide the healthcare you may need 

you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation 

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. 

Emergency medical number 

Call 15, 17 or 256767 and ask for an ambulance. 

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. 

Vaccine recommendations and health risks 

At least 8 weeks before your trip:  

• check the latest vaccine recommendations for New Caledonia  
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page   

See what health risks you’ll face in New Caledonia , including: 

• chikungunya 

Medication 

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries. 

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro . 

Healthcare in New Caledonia 

General healthcare facilities in New Caledonia are good for uncomplicated treatment, but more serious cases may need evacuation to Australia or France. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. 

Healthcare for residents  

If you plan to live in New Caledonia, consult the UK Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) about long-term entitlement to healthcare under the French national system.   

DWP Overseas Medical Benefits helpline: +44 (0)191 218 1999  

You can also get English-language information about French social security services online or on +33 (0)820 90 42 12. You can get French-language information online about state services in New Caledonia .  

Health insurance cards

The European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC ) or Global Health Insurance Card ( GHIC ) do not provide health cover for you if you go to New Caledonia to visit or to live.

Travel and mental health 

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro . 

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Canada ends temporary public policy allowing visitors to apply for work permits from within the country

Ottawa, August 28, 2024— Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has ended a temporary public policy that allowed visitors to apply for a work permit from within Canada, effective immediately.

IRCC introduced the policy in August 2020 to help visitors who were unable to leave the country due to COVID-19 pandemic–related travel restrictions. Under the policy, visitors in Canada could apply for a work permit without having to leave the country. In addition, foreign nationals who had held a work permit in the previous 12 months but who changed their status in Canada to “visitor” could apply to work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application.

While the temporary policy was set to expire on February 28, 2025, IRCC is ending the policy as part of our overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system. IRCC is also aware that some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorization.

IRCC will continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024 under the policy.

Please visit our website for information on how to apply for a work permit .

Page details

New Caledonia Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the Philippines to New Caledonia

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in enclosed environments and public transportation.

Ready to travel?

Find flights to new caledonia, explore more countries on travel restrictions map, destinations you can travel to now, dominican republic, the bahamas, u.s. virgin islands, united kingdom, united states, know when to go.

Sign up for email alerts as countries begin to open - choose the destinations you're interested in so you're in the know.

Can I travel to New Caledonia from the Philippines?

Most visitors from the Philippines, regardless of vaccination status, can enter New Caledonia.

Can I travel to New Caledonia if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the Philippines can enter New Caledonia without restrictions.

Can I travel to New Caledonia without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the Philippines can enter New Caledonia without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter New Caledonia?

Visitors from the Philippines are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering New Caledonia.

Can I travel to New Caledonia without quarantine?

Travelers from the Philippines are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in New Caledonia?

Mask usage in New Caledonia is not required in enclosed environments and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in New Caledonia?

Restaurants in New Caledonia are open. Bars in New Caledonia are .

The new COVID vaccine is out. Why you might not want to rush to get it

Many healthy people have immunity from vaccines and previous infection.

This is a KFF Health News story .

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved an updated COVID-19 shot for everyone 6 months old and up, which renews a now-annual quandary for Americans: Get the shot now, with the latest COVID outbreak sweeping the country, or hold it in reserve for the winter wave?

The new vaccine should provide some protection to everyone. But many healthy people who have already been vaccinated or have immunity because they've been exposed to COVID enough times may want to wait a few months.

COVID has become commonplace. For some, it's a minor illness with few symptoms. Others are laid up with fever, cough, and fatigue for days or weeks. A much smaller group -- mostly older or chronically ill people -- suffer hospitalization or death.

MORE: Free at-home COVID testing program restarting as officials prepare for fall, winter season

It's important for those in high-risk groups to get vaccinated, but vaccine protection wanes after a few months. Those who run to get the new vaccine may be more likely to fall ill this winter when the next wave hits, said William Schaffner, an infectious disease professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and a spokesperson for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

On the other hand, by late fall the major variants may have changed, rendering the vaccine less effective, said Peter Marks, the FDA's top vaccine official, at a briefing Aug. 23. He urged everyone eligible to get immunized, noting that the risk of long covid is greater in the un- and undervaccinated.

Of course, if last year's COVID vaccine rollout is any guide, few Americans will heed his advice, even though this summer's surge has been unusually intense, with levels of the COVID virus in wastewater suggesting infections are as widespread as they were in the winter.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now looks to wastewater as fewer people are reporting test results to health authorities. The wastewater data shows the epidemic is worst in Western and Southern states. In New York, for example, levels are considered "high" compared with "very high" in Georgia.

Hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID have trended up, too. But unlike infections, these rates are nowhere near those seen in winter surges, or in summers past. More than 2,000 people died of COVID in July -- a high number but a small fraction of the at least 25,700 COVID deaths in July 2020.

Partial immunity built up through vaccines and prior infections deserves credit for this relief. A new study suggests that current variants may be less virulent -- in the study, one of the recent variants   did not kill mice   exposed to it, unlike most earlier COVID variants.

Public health officials note that even with more cases this summer, people seem to be managing their sickness at home. "We did see a little rise in the number of cases, but it didn't have a significant impact in terms of hospitalizations and emergency room visits," said Manisha Juthani, public health commissioner of Connecticut, at a news briefing Aug. 21.

Unlike influenza or traditional cold viruses, CIVUD seems to thrive outside the cold months, when germy schoolkids, dry air, and indoor activities are thought to enable the spread of air- and saliva-borne viruses. No one is exactly sure why.

"COVID is still very transmissible, very new, and people congregate inside in air-conditioned rooms during the summer," said John Moore, a virologist and professor at Cornell University's Weill Cornell Medicine College.

Or "maybe COVID is more tolerant of humidity or other environmental conditions in the summer," said Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University.

MORE: What to know about the updated COVID vaccines coming this fall

Because viruses evolve as they infect people, the CDC has recommended updated COVID vaccines each year. Last fall's booster was designed to target the omicron variant circulating in 2023. This year, mRNA vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer and the protein-based vaccine from Novavax -- which has yet to be approved by the FDA -- target a more recent omicron variant, JN.1.

The FDA determined that the mRNA vaccines strongly protected people from severe disease and death -- and would do so even though earlier variants of JN.1 are now being overtaken by others.

Public interest in COVID vaccines has waned, with only one in five adults getting vaccinated since last September, compared with about 80% who got the first dose. New Yorkers have been slightly above the national vaccination rate, while in Georgia only about 17% got the latest shot.

Vaccine uptake is lower in states where the majority voted for Donald Trump in 2020 and among those who have less money and education, less health care access, or less time off from work. These groups are also more likely to be hospitalized or die of the disease, according to a 2023 study in The Lancet.

While the newly formulated vaccines are better targeted at the circulating COVID variants, uninsured and underinsured Americans may have to rush if they hope to get one for free. A CDC program that provided boosters to 1.5 million people over the last year ran out of money and is ending Aug. 31.

The agency drummed up $62 million in unspent funds to pay state and local health departments to provide the new shots to those not covered by insurance. But "that may not go very far" if the vaccine costs the agency around $86 a dose, as it did last year, said Kelly Moore, CEO of Immunize.org, which advocates for vaccination.

People who pay out-of-pocket at pharmacies face higher prices: CVS plans to sell the updated vaccine for $201.99, said Amy Thibault, a spokesperson for the company.

"Price can be a barrier, access can be a barrier" to vaccination, said David Scales, an assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Without an access program that provides vaccines to uninsured adults, "we'll see disparities in health outcomes and disproportionate outbreaks in the working poor, who can ill afford to take off work," Kelly Moore said.

New York state has about $1 million to fill the gaps when the CDC's program ends, said Danielle De Souza, a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Health. That will buy around 12,500 doses for uninsured and underinsured adults, she said. There are roughly one million uninsured people in the state.

CDC and FDA experts last year decided to promote annual fall vaccination against COVID and influenza along with a one-time respiratory syncytial virus shot for some groups.

It would be impractical for the vaccine-makers to change the COVID vaccine's recipe twice every year, and offering the three vaccines during one or two health care visits appears to be the best way to increase uptake of all of them, said Schaffner, who consults for the CDC's policy-setting Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

At its next meeting, in October, the committee is likely to urge vulnerable people to get a second dose of the same COVID vaccine in the spring, for protection against the next summer wave, he said.

If you're in a vulnerable population and waiting to get vaccinated until closer to the holiday season, Schaffner said, it makes sense to wear a mask and avoid big crowds, and to get a test if you think you have COVID. If positive, people in these groups should seek medical attention since the antiviral pill Paxlovid might ameliorate their symptoms and keep them out of the hospital.

MORE: As students head back to class, are schools ready to handle COVID-19?

As for conscientious others who feel they may be sick and don't want to spread the COVID virus, the best advice is to get a single test and, if positive, try to isolate for a few days and then wear a mask for several days while avoiding crowded rooms. Repeat testing after a positive result is pointless, since viral particles in the nose may remain for days without signifying a risk of infecting others, Schaffner said.

The Health and Human Services Department is making four free COVID tests available to anyone who requests them starting in late September through covidtest.gov, said Dawn O'Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response, at the Aug. 23 briefing.

The government is focusing its fall vaccine advocacy campaign, which it's calling "Risk less, live more," on older people and nursing home residents, said HHS spokesperson Jeff Nesbit.

Not everyone may really need a fall COVID booster, but "it's not wrong to give people options," John Moore said. "The 20-year-old athlete is less at risk than the 70-year-old overweight dude. It's as simple as that."

KFF Health News correspondent Amy Maxmen contributed to this report.

Related Topics

• COVID-19 Vaccine
• Coronavirus

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New Caledonia covid entry requirements: Get to know them here

We all know that Covid made many travelers doubtful about traveling to new countries, but since many of these countries have launched reliable covid protocols, we can now say that traveling is going back to normal! Besides, beautiful territories like New Caledonia are ready to receive travelers as long as they follow the New Caledonia Covid entry requirements .

These entry requirements aren’t hard to follow, especially with the recent launch of the New Caledonia Travel Certificate , an easy-to-get document that travelers need to enter this country. At iVisa.com , we can help you get this item within a few minutes.

However, to see how to apply for that document and what other New Caledonia covid entry requirements are important, we recommend you continue reading below.

Note: Since March 30th, 2022, the New Caledonia Travel Certificate is no longer necessary to enter the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the new caledonia covid entry requirements.

All travelers must apply for the New Caledonia Travel Certificate before entering this country, as it is the most important thing to consider about the New Caledonia Covid entry requirements .

Another important thing is the vaccine certificate in case the applicant has been vaccinated. A negative result of a PCR test can also be used if the applicant has not been vaccinated. Depending on what document the traveler sends (the vaccine certificate or the PCR Test), the quarantine will vary. It is obligatory to quarantine upon arrival.

However, the quarantine can be performed only by accredited hotels.

What is a New Caledonia Travel Certificate and what do I need to apply for it?

The New Caledonia Travel Certificate is a travel document that allows you to enter this country by offering your health and travel status. To obtain it you need:

• Your passport with a valid due date
• A valid email address
• A valid payment method (debit/credit card)
• A negative PCR test or a vaccine certificate

Do I need a COVID vaccine or vaccination certificate to enter New Caledonia?

Yes. All tourists aged 12 and over must be fully vaccinated to enter New Caledonia.

You are considered fully vaccinated only if it has passed:

One week after the second shot for two-shot vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca);

28 days after the shot for one-shot vaccines (Johnson & Johnson);

One week after the shot for vaccines administered to people who have already had COVID-19 (only one dose is necessary);

One week after a booster ARNm dose (Moderna or Pfizer) after two shots of a vaccine on the WHO’s health emergencies list (Sinovac/Coronavac or Sinopharm/BBIB-PVeroCells).

Note: Travelers aged 12 or over must have received a dose of complementary messenger RNA vaccine no later than 9 months following the injection of the last required dose to be considered as fully vaccinated.

Since information may change quickly, we advise you to follow up on the latest New Caledonia travel updates with your airline and/or the nearest embassy.

Do I need to take a COVID-19 PCR test before traveling to New Caledonia?

COVID test prior to arrival for French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna: PCR test result taken within 72 hours or antigen test taken within 48 hours before departure.

COVID test prior to arrival for all other travelers: PCR or antigen within 24 hours before travel.

COVID test after the arrival: All travelers must take a covid test 2 days after arrival.

COVID test exemptions: Children under 12 are exempt from testing.

Do I have to quarantine once I arrive in New Caledonia?

Quarantine requirements: 7-day quarantine.

• Quarantine testing: Day 2 and day 7 antigen test for all travelers aged 12 and over.

Quarantine exemptions: Fully vaccinated travelers.

What are the prices and the processing times?

The processing time varies depending on how fast you want this document. Plus, we also change the price so that you pay for what you need, with no extra hidden costs:

• Standard processing service : it is the most affordable alternative. -
• Rush processing service : in case you want the document sooner. -
• Super Rush processing service : you pay the highest fee, but you also get the document as fast as possible. visa_total:product_id=10683,processing_speed=super_rush} -

How can I get the New Caledonia Travel Certificate?

By following these steps:

• First , complete the application form and choose the processing time.
• Second , verify the information you’ve sent so that it is correct. Pay for the fees after that.
• Third , add the documents required and submit your request. Now you only have to wait for your document by email inbox and that’s it! Don’t forget to print it and hand-sign it if necessary.

Is it safe to apply with iVisa.com?

For sure! At iVisa.com you don’t have to stress about applying online because we offer a reliable service, and we never put any information in danger.

Besides, you can always take a look at our comments section to confirm we are your best alternative for your trip to New Caledonia .

I have more questions, where can I get more info?

If you still have doubts about the New Caledonia covid entry requirements , then feel free to keep in touch with our incredible customer service center . They are available 24/7 and prepared to help you with anything you want!

iVisa.com Recommends

New Caledonia is a French territory and archipelago with the capital city of Noumea. This place has a huge lagoon, numerous beaches, and a notorious reef. In fact, it has the second-largest coral reef in the world. It is only surpassed by the Great Coral Reef in Australia.

This place has some points of interest for any visitor. One of them is the Tjibaou Cultural Center, a Kanak cultural center designed by Renzo Piano. New Caledonia also has a huge number of islets and beautiful beaches, including Îlot Maître, a perfect place to admire the crystal clear waters or go snorkeling.

Since it is a marine territory, it is not surprising to find places like the Amédée Lighthouse, an iron lighthouse located on the island of Amédée, 24 km from Nouméa. This island is also perfect to relax and try different marine sports such as diving and snorkeling.

Other places to visit are: Parc provincial de la Riviere Bleue, Aquarium des Lagons Nouvelle Caledonie, and the relaxing Poe Beach. There’s no way of getting bored on this island! Apply now

Related Articles

How Can Citizens of France Enter New Caledonia During Coronavirus?

How Can Citizens of Japan Enter New Caledonia During Coronavirus?

How Can Citizens of New Zealand Enter New Caledonia During Coronavirus?

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Late-Summer Travel Plans? You Might Want to Put On a Mask.

With U.S. Covid-19 cases at very high levels and new vaccines still several weeks away, we asked experts for their advice on when and where to wear a mask.

• Share full article

By Ceylan Yeğinsu and Dani Blum

It is the height of the summer travel season: Airplanes and cruises are packed, hotels are booked, and travelers are crowding theme parks and attractions. Yet throughout the United States, Covid-19 is currently circulating at very high levels.

During the peak of the pandemic, masks were ubiquitous in hotels, airports and other public places. They were required to fly , and many travelers donned them elsewhere to help reduce the transmission of the deadly coronavirus. Since the end of the mandate, and as travel has returned to or surpassed prepandemic levels , most travelers have abandoned preventive measures, particularly masks.

With updated vaccines not available until the fall , experts are reminding travelers about the benefits of masking, particularly in airports and poorly ventilated indoor environments.

Here’s what you need to know about masks and your travel plans.

What’s going on with Covid right now?

The number of reported cases appears to be climbing both in the United States and abroad. In the United States, there are “very high” levels of the virus in wastewater samples nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The World Health Organization reported that cases around the globe rose by 30 percent from June 24 to July 21, compared with the previous 28 days. Put simply: There’s a lot of Covid out there.

How effective are masks? What is the best mask to use?

People who want to minimize their risk of respiratory illnesses like Covid (along with colds and the flu) should wear a mask while traveling, experts say. Even if you’re the only person wearing one on a train or at an airport, a mask continues to offer protection — provided you wear it properly, which means covering both your nose and your mouth.

“It does not eliminate the risk, but it substantially reduces the risk of exposure,” said Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, the chief of research and development at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System, in Missouri. Aim for a high-quality mask, like an N95, a KN95 or a KF94 , all of which filter out the overwhelming majority of virus particles and are far more effective at reducing the chance of a Covid infection than cloth or surgical versions. Masks should fit snugly on your face.

“If you have symptoms and you have any question about it, I would wear a mask, just to protect other people,” said Dr. Marc Sala, a co-director of the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Covid-19 Center in Chicago. Common symptoms of Covid include coughing, fever, sneezing, congestion, headaches, sore muscles, fatigue and gastrointestinal issues . Those who are asymptomatic but have been exposed to Covid may also consider masking.

If you have tested positive during a trip but cannot delay traveling, you should wear a mask whenever you are around other people, Dr. Sala said.

Where should travelers wear a mask?

The C.D.C. urges travelers to “consider wearing masks in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor areas, including on public transportation and in transportation hubs.”

Dr. Al-Aly recommended carrying around a few masks in your bag or pockets, so that you have them on hand when you enter a crowded indoor space. “Maintain situational awareness,” he said. If you’re in a crowded indoor space, like a train station or busy museum, you may want to put on a mask. Although airplanes filter and circulate air , there is still a risk that comes with being in close quarters with large groups of people, Dr. Al-Aly said.

What is the travel industry’s stance on masking?

The mask mandate on airplanes became a heated issue at the height of the pandemic, with travel representatives arguing that it was harming the recovery of a hard-hit industry.

The U.S. Travel Association , a trade group that promotes travel to and within the country, believes mask wearing should be up to individual travelers. It welcomed the lifting of the mask mandate on U.S. transportation in 2022, calling it “a step further toward the endemic management of Covid.” That stance has not changed.

The International Air Transportation Association , another industry group, argues that aircraft are designed to reduce the transmission of viruses on board. “Cabin air is refreshed every two to three minutes — much more frequently than most other indoor environments,” the agency said in a statement. “It is also filtered and flows from ceiling to floor, all of which helps to maintain a healthy onboard environment.”

Passengers always have a choice to wear masks, the statement continued, and many airlines provide them upon request.

Major cruise lines do not require guests to wear masks, but passengers are required to undergo a health screening before boarding a ship, and some companies, including Carnival Cruise Line, encourage passengers to be up-to-date with Covid vaccines.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Ceylan Yeğinsu is a travel reporter for The Times who frequently writes about the cruise industry and Europe, where she is based. More about Ceylan Yeğinsu

Dani Blum is a health reporter for The Times. More about Dani Blum

Covid-19 Travel Updates

• Coronavirus COVID 19

As of May 15, 2023, all COVID-19 formalities in New Caledonia have been lifted. Our French Pacific Paradise warmly welcomes you back without any restrictions. Here’s what you need to know.

Stay up to dates with travel conditions

To stay up-to-date with the latest information, check official sources of information regularly, including:

• High Commission of the French Republic in New Caledonia
• Government of New Caledonia
• Check flight status at Nouméa La Tontouta airport
• For Passports, Visas and Customs information, please visit our dedicated page .

Subscribe to our newsletter and official pages for real-time information:

• New Caledonia Tourism newsletter
• New Caledonia Tourism Facebook page

Last update: May 16, 2023

COVID-19 formalities no longer apply to enter New Caledonia:

• No more mandatory isolation at home or in a hotel upon arrival.
• Justification of a compelling reason, arrival tests, and affidavits are no longer required.
• Yachts are permitted to stop over without special permission and disembark ashore.
• Large cruises have been authorised since October 4, 2022.

Since May 15, 2023, COVID-19 is now treated like other “common” respiratory illnesses. The exceptional measures related to the virus are no longer in effect. For details, visit the New Caledonia Government website .

If you experience symptoms of a respiratory infection, consult a doctor. Testing will be conducted at the doctor’s discretion, either by the doctor or at a pharmacy. You can find a list of pharmacies offering COVID-19 tests here .

If you exhibit symptoms or test positive, it is advisable to avoid contact with vulnerable individuals and follow safety measures such as wearing a mask and maintaining physical distance.

Yes, travel insurance is compulsory for all non-EU travellers.

Yes. Travel insurance or health coverage (with minimum coverage of 30,000 € – NZD 53,000) is mandatory to cover potential medical repatriation, urgent medical care, and emergency hospital treatment.

As a French overseas territory, New Caledonia boasts a healthcare system and medical infrastructure that meet international standards . Public hospitals in Nouméa and Koné are modern and among the most advanced in France. All healthcare professionals in the archipelago, including doctors, nurses, and surgeons, hold French or European qualifications, ensuring safe and effective care. Treatment is free of charge for French nationals.

Travel advice

While COVID-19 travel conditions have been lifted, it is strongly recommended to wear masks on planes, in airports, and in places visited by vulnerable individuals , such as doctor’s offices, healthcare facilities, and social services establishments.

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• Trade & Médias

Summer travel is fueling California’s COVID surge. Labor Day will be big test

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Summer travel is helping fuel a COVID surge across California and other parts of the country.

There are growing reports of attendees at the Democratic National Convention getting COVID-19. At least a dozen people from California — delegates, political strategists and news reporters — said they tested positive after the DNC ended last week in Chicago.

Democratic strategist Tracy Austin, who caught COVID while attending the convention, told The Times: “It was an amazing time, but the DNCC last week stood for the Democratic National COVID Convention.”

The next big test for the COVID spike is just around the corner.

Doctors will be closely watching to see whether the back-to-school season and the Labor Day holiday weekend worsen the surge. Last week, officials with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said some data suggest a slowing of new coronavirus infections in some parts of the country. But a dip in the summer surge won’t be obvious until there are several weeks of sustained declines — which hasn’t happened yet.

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Packed airports and large indoor events have long been shown to increase the spread of the coronavirus, and this summer has broken travel records. The Transportation Security Administration said June 23 resulted in the most passengers screened on a single day since the agency’s creation: 2.99 million . Southern California airports also have reported big increases in passenger volume.

Many DNC events occurred indoors, where the infection risk for large groups is greatest.

“That’s going to happen any time nearly 25,000 people are packed into an arena, in hotels and on shuttle buses for four days, no matter what the occasion is,” said California Democratic Party spokesperson Robin Swanson. “But the biggest takeaway from our convention is enthusiasm to elect Democrats across the country.”

Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, said her first thought as a physician in watching the DNC was, “Oh, no, hardly anyone is wearing a mask.”

She said she remembered thinking, “There’s probably going to be an awful lot of cases of COVID that come from this.

“You get a lot of people together in an indoor area who are talking and laughing and shouting, which is actually a more efficient way to spread COVID,” Hudson said. “Between all of that ... exposure time, definitely, we are certainly going to see COVID.”

Even though masks have gone out of fashion , they remain an effective tool in helping to prevent COVID-19, along with avoiding sick people, spending more time outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, washing or sanitizing your hands frequently and staying up to date on vaccinations.

“When you are traveling, if you’re going to be in an indoor area with an awful lot of people, to really reduce your your risk of becoming COVID-positive, you really should be wearing a mask,” Hudson said.

And “if you’re on a plane, if you’re in an airport, those are the times you really want to make sure that you are wearing a mask,” she added.

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The updated COVID-19 vaccinations for the 2024–25 season are expected to become available as soon as this week , and everywhere sometime in September.

There are a number of reasons why this summer’s COVID wave has been surprisingly strong .

One is the emergence of successive hyperinfectious coronavirus subvariants. In the spring, some of the subvariants collectively nicknamed FLiRT , including KP.2, began a midyear wave. That was followed by ever-more-contagious successor subvariants — KP.3 (nicknamed FLuQE, pronounced “fluke”) — and the latest, KP.3.1.1 (nicknamed deFLuQE).

With KP.3.1.1, “the particular variation that came up in this mutation was a little different than what people had seen with either natural immunity or with the vaccinations that we had available,” Hudson said.

“Because of that, it just made it much more easy to come into a population where people’s natural and vaccine-induced immunity was at a nadir,” Hudson said, with many people nearly a year or more out from their last immunization or their last COVID-19 illness.

There are now 26 states, including California, where COVID-19 is projected to be “growing” or “likely growing.” That’s down from 44 states about six weeks ago, according to the CDC.

The rate at which coronavirus tests are coming back positive continues to rise in California. For the week that ended Aug. 19, 14.4% of reported tests were positive. That’s higher than the peaks seen last summer and winter, and up from about 11.5% a month ago.

Overall, coronavirus levels in California’s wastewater have been largely flat in recent weeks, but remain at the season’s highest level.

How to protect yourself

• Test if you’re sick — and test daily. It’s sometimes taking longer after the onset of illness for a rapid test to show positive. If an initial test is negative, you may still have COVID. Consider retaking tests daily, up to five days after the onset of cough-and-cold symptoms, Hudson said. A positive test can help you take measures to isolate quicker and limit spread of the illness.
• Have a plan to ask for Paxlovid if you become ill. Paxlovid is an antiviral drug that, when taken by people at risk for severe COVID-19 who have mild to moderate symptoms, reduces the risk of hospitalization and death. There are also other anti-COVID drugs, such as molnupiravir, which is also taken orally, and remdesivir, which is administered intravenously.
• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised can also get a medicine called pemivibart, whose brand name is Pemgarda . Given intravenously in a medical facility over an hour, the drug helps prevent COVID-19 before someone is exposed to the virus, but doesn’t replace vaccines.
• Wearing a mask, particularly on a crowded flight or other indoor venues, can help reduce the risk of infection.
• The CDC says people should stay away from others until at least 24 hours after their symptoms are getting better and they have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medicine). The agency suggests taking added precautions for five days — like wearing a well-fitting mask and continuing to test for COVID, in case of viral rebound — to avoid sickening other people.
• Besides the CDC guidance, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health also recommends testing yourself using a rapid test, and getting a negative result, before leaving isolation. The agency recommends masking for 10 days around other people after you start feeling sick, or if asymptomatic, your first positive COVID test. You can unmask earlier if you have two sequential negative COVID tests, taken at least a day apart. The agency also suggests staying away from the elderly and immunocompromised people for 10 days after you start to feel sick.

Generally, tips like these also reduce the risk of a coronavirus infection: keeping distance from other people, increasing air circulation by opening windows, turning on air purifiers, gathering outdoors if meeting with people, and sticking with enhanced hygiene: washing and sanitizing hands often, cleaning high-touch surfaces, and covering coughs and sneezes.

‘A much more infectious’ COVID variant fueling California’s relentless surge

California’s FLiRT-fueled COVID surge is continuing to spawn infections at a dizzying rate, with coronavirus levels in wastewater reaching some of the highest levels seen since 2022.

Aug. 19, 2024

Additional travel tips from the CDC

• Make sure you are up to date on all of your routine vaccines ; they protect from infectious diseases, such as measles, that can spread quickly in groups of unvaccinated people. Many diseases prevented by routine vaccination are not common in the United States but are still common in other countries.
• Get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines and get a seasonal flu vaccine. In the U.S., the CDC recommends getting COVID and flu vaccines in September or October .
• Prepare a travel health kit with items you may need, especially those that may be difficult to find at your destination. Include prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines and take enough to last your entire trip, plus extra in case of travel delays. Depending on your destination, you may also want to pack a mask , insect repellent , sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher), aloe, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, water disinfection tablets and your health insurance card.

Mehta reported from Chicago and Lin from San Francisco.

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Rong-Gong Lin II is a Metro reporter based in San Francisco who specializes in covering statewide earthquake safety issues and the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bay Area native is a graduate of UC Berkeley and started at the Los Angeles Times in 2004.

Seema Mehta is a veteran political writer who is covering the 2024 presidential race as well as other state and national contests. She started at the Los Angeles Times in 1998, previously covered multiple presidential, state and local races, and completed a Knight-Wallace fellowship at the University of Michigan in 2019.

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Pacific Islands Forum: Foreign Minister Winston Peters invited to violence-stricken New Caledonia, officials to meet French ambassador

Foreign Minister Winston Peters at the Pacific Islands Forum opening ceremony in Tonga. Photo / John Tulloch

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has been invited to New Caledonia by its President, following the pair discussing the French territory’s months of unrest and violence .

Peters is also confirming he is seeking a meeting with French leadership to discuss issues stemming from how a controversial amendment France proposed to New Caledonia’s voting eligibility sparked protests that have led to 11 deaths.

It comes as communications appear to improve on the Tongan island of Vava’u where Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will be staying overnight as part of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ retreat this week.

The situation in New Caledonia had been a primary issue at this year’s forum and plenty of anticipation remained for what Pacific leaders could decide following Thursday’s retreat regarding the rescheduling of a fact-finding mission to the island .

Peters held a bilateral meeting with President Louis Mapou yesterday afternoon and today said Mapou – who was in favour of New Caledonia’s independence – had invited Peters to visit “sometime later this year”.

New Zealand had refrained from stating a position on New Caledonia’s independence with Peters instead urging all sides to discuss more pressing matters openly.

Peters said he was advocating for the forum to enable both the French and pro-independence groups in New Caledonia to forge a path towards a resolution with “self-determination” and “economic success” as fundamental factors.

“Without that economic success, it could become a cot case and that’s our concern and [Mapou] shared it.”

The unrest has wreaked havoc on the local economy, causing a reported 20,000 job losses.

Peters said he was also seeking a meeting with the French to ensure discussions were had with what New Zealand considered an important development partner in the Pacific.

Despite France’s ambassador to the Pacific, Véronique Roger-Lacan, being available in Tonga, Peters indicated he was looking to speak with those higher in the French Government.

“The answer is most definitely to go to the boss in this case, and higher, and hopefully have a sensible, long-term dialogue.”

It was confirmed New Zealand would be engaging with Roger-Lacan through officials.

Peters yesterday accused Roger-Lacan of making unhelpful comments suggesting forum members hadn’t been aligned over whether to send a mission to New Caledonia, which Peters claimed they had been.

Asked if he would need France’s approval to travel to New Caledonia, Peters didn’t believe it would be necessary. Peters had planned to visit New Caledonia before the trip was scrapped in light of the unrest.

“These are things we’ll work our way through but I do not imagine for a moment that the French will not be happy for me to go.”

Peters, who was set to return to New Zealand tonight, today conducted bilateral meetings with the European Union, Azerbaijan, Serbia, Tonga and Singapore.

Luxon would arrive in Tonga tonight ahead of the leaders’ retreat on Vava’u on Thursday, returning to the main island of Tongatapu on Friday.

A 6.9-magnitude earthquake that rocked the Tongan islands yesterday caused issues on Vava’u, with the Vava’u Volunteer Maritime Response Association saying in a social media post all communications were down following the quake.

The same social media post had been updated to say internet providers had engaged back-up systems and communications had been restored.

Adam Pearse is a political reporter in the NZ Herald Press Gallery team, based at Parliament. He has worked for NZME since 2018, covering sport and health for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei before moving to the Herald in Auckland, covering Covid-19 and crime.

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