COVID-19 in French Polynesia

Faced with the resurgence of COVID-19 cases around the world and in order to preserve French Polynesia which has for its part, shown significant improvement for several consecutive weeks, the authorities have decided to temporarily suspend travel to Tahiti and her islands including for tourists from all origins until further notice.

As of Wednesday February 3rd, travel will be authorized only for travelers who can justify one of the compelling reasons (health, professional, family, return home) cf website of the High Commission. The duration of this measure will be specified in the coming days.

Travelers currently in French Polynesia whose return is scheduled during this week can end their stay normally; beyond that, it is advisable to check your flight schedule.

Statement from Tahiti Tourism : February 01st, 2021
*conditions are subject to modifications

The global health challenge we all are living at the present time is unprecedented. However, each one of us are reminded what really matters such as protecting ourselves with simple actions, participating in the fight against the epidemic by respecting the current sanitary measures, paying attention to the echoes of our beautiful “Earth”, taking time to surround ourselves with our loved ones… and many more.

The health and safety of all have always been at the core priority of TAHITI EXPERIENCES and even more so today. Please be assured that we will do everything we can to complete successfully the missions of the agency. Jointly with the local authorities and all our partners, we will provide regular updates of all current and future measures and recommendations.

Today, we can state that French Polynesia still shows a positive record in the fight against the COVID-19. We owe the result of this sucess to the preventive actions and the handling of the situation by all of us.

On this optimistic note, I wish to tell you how much we look forward to welcoming you again into our Islands! 

Thank you, Mauru’uru,

Teriitahi, Herald NANAI
General Manager

Prior to Departure

Wearing a mask is mandatory on the plane and in airports for each trip.

Travelers resident in France going to the airport to take a flight for Overseas destinations must be able to present, during a control, the exemption certificate for travel during curfew hours (available on the website of the Ministry of the Interior).

COVID-19 Test

A SARS-CoV-2 virus genome test (e.g. the SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test) has to be carried out by all travelers aged 11 years or over in a health authority center (hospital, clinic, medical centre, Covid-19 testing Center, or medical analysis laboratory) within 3 days before the flight to Tahiti (at the passenger’s expense).

The results of this test must be negative and will need to be presented to airline staff upon check-in prior to boarding the flight to French Polynesia.

No boarding will be allowed if the test is positive.

Sanitary entry form (ETIS) 

After obtaining the negative test results, each adult must fill out a digital Sanitary entry form online on the dedicated platform – Etis.pf/en/ – mainly agreeing to:

• Respect the prevention measures and all health safety instructions issued by the authorities of French Polynesia for the pre-boarding phase, during the flight,  disembarkation and throughout the stay;
• Call the emergency health line at 40 455 000 in case of cough, fever or respiratory difficulty. If the traveler feels any sign of distress, they should dial “15” (emergency services);
• Submit to the health surveillance system established by the government of French Polynesia which, among other health protocols, mandates a self-test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus 4 days after arrival French Polynesia;
• Have travel insurance covering Covid-19 expenses or personally assume all expenses related to cost of care including hospitalization, confinement, or repatriation, should the visitor fall ill during the stay;
• Provide information about the stay in French Polynesia (except for residents) : itinerary, inter-island transport, accommodation (e-mail contacts / telephone / dates of stay).

The Sanitary entry form is filled online on the dedicated digital platform ETIS.pf [Electronic Travel Information System].

Once completed a receipt with an ETIS number will be issued by email;

A printout of this receipt must be presented upon check-in together with the test results in order to be able to board the flight to French Polynesia and  both documents will need to be presented upon arrival at Tahiti’s Faa’a international airport.

The printout receipt of the health engagement form is to be kept with the traveler at all times and in all places during their stay in French Polynesia. See example HERE

Compelling Reason

The passenger needs to fill up a form to justify one of a compelling reason to travel to French Polynesia on the website of The Ministry of the Interior (“travel for leasure” to French Polynesia is one, please see the form)

During the Flight

During your Stay

• Wearing the mask is recommended (from the age of 11 years old);
• Respecting prevention measures at all times and in all places;
• In case of a change of itinerary, travelers should update the “itinerary” part of their file on the Etis.pf website;

• In addition to the test required prior to departure, a self-test provided by French Polynesia, will need to be carried out on the fourth day after arrival in the destination. An envelope will be given to each traveler upon their arrival at the airport. This test consists of an oral and nasal swab, to be self-performed at the date indicated on the envelope containing a self-test kit with instructions and an information note.
• Self-diagnosis of visitors:  in case of doubt on the traveler’s state of health (fever and/or flu symptoms), they are required to contact the reception of their accommodations and/or call directly to (+689) 40 455 000. If they feel any sign of distress, they should dial “15” (emergency services);
• Depending on the diagnosis made by the Health Authorities, follow their instructions which may include isolation measures and / or carrying out an additional RT-PCR test.

From French Polynesia back to France

Travelers from French Polynesia are exempt from entry restrictions in France. This system could evolve according to the sanitary situation.

More details on https://outre-mer.gouv.fr/nouvelles-modalites-pour-les-voyages-entre-les-outre-mer-et-lhexagone. 

Statement from Tahiti Tourism : January 19, 2021
*conditions are subject to modifications

Beginning January 26, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires all passengers 2 years of age or older on a flight to the United States, regardless of their immunization status, to present at check-in :

• A negative result from a Covid-19 viral test carried out within 3 days prior to their international flight;
• or, in the case of a previous Covid-19 infection within the last 3 months prior to departure, a positive viral test result, along with an official letter from a physician indicating that the passenger has made a full recovery and is authorized to travel.

 
Virological tests for nucleic acid amplification RT-PCR and rapid antigenic tests are tests accepted and authorized by the French Polynesian Health Authority.
 
Test result documents must clearly state the name of the medical authority that performed the test, the date of the test, the type of test performed, the name of the traveler and the test result. In case of a negative result, the document must clearly state “NEGATIVE RNA SARS-COV2 NON-DETECTED” or “NEGATIVE RNA SARS-COV2 NON-DETECTED” or “COVID 19 NON-DETECTED”.

French Polynesia’s authorities are getting organized to respond to this new requirement applicable from January 26, 2021. Details on the evolution of the sampling system, the communication of results, as well as on the set up of a collection center on the island of Bora Bora will be communicated in the coming days.

For travelers traveling to the United States, please find the list of collection sites available on this link.

For the latest updates please visit our regularly updated Covid-19 Travel Information for The Islands of Tahiti 

In the context of the crisis related to the COVID-19 pandemic, TAHITI EXPERIENCES has committed to Tahiti Tourism to apply a common and united commercial policy by proposing modifications without penalty or refund without charge within 12 months from the initial date of stay in case of cancellation.

The specifics of the agreement apply to cancellations and change requests for any new reservation made between May 1, 2020 and October 31, 2021 for travel within French Polynesia between July 15, 2020 and December 31, 2021 – with the exception of group requests.

The cancellation or change fees will be waived in the case of :

In the event of a request for cancellation or modification of reservations except in the cases defined above, standard conditions apply. See booking terms & conditions.

Given this exceptional situation, TAHITI EXPERIENCES still strongly recommends that our clients have a Travel Protection Plan or Travel Insurance, which takes into account the epidemic risk associated with COVID-19, when traveling.

TAHITI EXPERIENCES invites you to follow and respect the usual barrier gestures, recommended by the Ministry of Tourism and Health Department of French Polynesia :

“The Health Department updates its recommendations regularly to protect your health and recommends the right things to do against the COVID-19”

TAHITI EXPERIENCES would like to express its sincere gratitude to those who through their work or actions, have contributed and continue to do so today, to fight the COVID-19. We will be forever grateful!

We also wish to thank each one of you, because by respecting the rules of social distancing and barrier gestures, we can now be reunited with our loved ones, families and children in complete serenity.

Last but not least, none of this would have been possible without the hard work of the Government and High Commission of French Polynesia.

Mauru’uru, Thank you,
TAHITI EXPERIENCES