Health and safety advice for Tahiti
On May 10, the US State Department issued a Level 3 travel advisory for French Polynesia, meaning they were advising Americans to rethink travel to the South Pacific islands right now due to COVID-19. However, since then, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for the country. This level indicates a moderate level of COVID-19 in French Polynesia.
The CDC does recommend that travelers at increased risk for severe illness should avoid all non-essential travel to French Polynesia. In fact, it recommends that all visitors to the islands get fully vaccinated prior to travel. Meanwhile, as at May 25, French Polynesia has reported 18,759 coronavirus cases, with 141 deaths.
Travel Requirements for Americans
Those travelers residing in the US are welcome to visit Tahiti, but certain requirements must be met. In order to obtain authorization to travel, Americans must complete the ETIS health declaration form between six to 30 days of their visit.
Those who have been fully vaccinated, or can prove immunity via a serology test, can skip the mandatory 10-day quarantine on arrival in Tahiti. However, it will still be necessary to produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test, taken within 72 hours before travel.
On arrival in Tahiti, travelers will also receive an antigen test and will be required to undergo an additional test on the 4th day of their visit. Travelers will be given a self-testing kit at the airport and will submit the result to the reception desk at their hotel or resort. All visitors age 11 and up will be required to undergo testing.
When returning home to the US from Tahiti, all travelers age two and up will need to produce a negative COVID-19 test result, taken within 72 hours of their return flight. Alternatively, they can produce proof of recovery from the virus within the last three months. For convenience, a rapid testing center is located at Faa’a International Airport.
Further recommendations
According to the CDC, travelers should delay international travel until they have received the full COVID-19 vaccine dose and to wait two weeks after receiving the final jab. Despite being vaccinated, however, travelers are advised to follow all recommendations and requirements at their destination, including the wearing of masks and social distancing.
The CDC also recommends that vaccinated travelers take a viral test three to five days after their Tahiti trip. They should also self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms, isolating themselves and getting tested should any develop.
Those who have not been vaccinated should take the same precautions, but should also get a viral test one to three days prior to travel. Should the result come back positive, they should postpone their plans. Unvaccinated travelers should also take a test three to five days after their return from their trip. They should then quarantine for a full seven days, even with a negative test result, or at least 10 days should they choose not to take a test.
What can you expect in Tahiti or Moorea?
Currently, there is still a curfew in effect from 10 pm to 4 am through at least June 1 and the curfew could be extended during that month. Despite this, travelers will have plenty to choose from, with hotels and resorts reopened with elevated health and safety protocols in place. The same can be expected from shops, restaurants and attractions on the island and mostly involves the wearing of masks and social distancing.
Kristin Carlson, the managing director of Tahiti Tourisme, said recently “Most activities are outdoors and are largely still available.”
“Popular activities such as lagoon tours with traditional motu (tiny islet) picnics, diving, hiking, ATV and 4×4 tours in open-air trucks, as well as culinary tours and Polynesian dance and musical dinner shows are all still taking place, albeit with additional safety measures.”
As reported here, Tahiti is also an ideal destination for astro-tourists to enjoy star-gazing activities which can be enjoyed at the travelers’ hotel or resort despite the curfew.
If you are ready for a vacation in an exotic location and are prepared to follow all the rules and regulations, Tahiti is a wonderful location to relax and revive following the ongoing pandemic.
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