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  • Writer's pictureDean Nelson, (he/him) CTC, LLD

COVID Info for Tahiti, French Polynesia

Updated: Jun 18, 2021

Important Travel information for entering and departing Tahiti and French Polynesia

In order to keep French Polynesia Covid-19 free, the Government has established strict entry requirements. These conditions of entry and stay in the country are applicable to all travellers arriving by air. Click here to visit Tahiti Tourism's COVID19 information and FAQ page.


Update

Entry and Stay conditions in The Islands of Tahiti as of June 16th 2021

The entry and stay conditions in The Islands of Tahiti have been updated with the integration of Canada and the United States in the green zone, which implies the following changes in the definition of the two traveler profiles:

  • VACCINATED TRAVELERS:

    • Travelers having stayed at least 15 days in a French territory (except Guyana) or in the United Kingdom or in a country of the green-zone (including USA and Canada), prior to departure to French Polynesia.

    • No more compelling reason to be justified to travel to Tahiti,

    • Deadlines to be respected between full anti-COVID 19 vaccination and departure:

      • 14 days for Pfizer, Moderna and Astrazeneca vaccines

      • 28 days for the Janssen vaccine


  • OTHER TRAVELERS:

    • Are included in this category :

      • Unvaccinated travelers

      • Travelers immune by previous COVID-19 infection

      • Travelers having stayed less than 15 days in a French territory (except Guyana), or in the United Kingdom or in a country of the green-zone (including USA and Canada), prior to departure to French Polynesia.


  • Compelling reason for travel still applicable (Health, Family, Work)

  • Tourism is not a compelling reason for travel

  • A 10-day quarantine is still applicable


Find the updated Entry and Stay conditions les conditions hereafter and on our website: www.TahitiTourisme.com/coronavirus. Please note that they are subject to modifications.

Prior to boarding your flight:

  • Proof of a negative Covid-19 test (PCR) carried out within three days prior to their international air departure. The results of this test must be negative and the medical document confirming this, issued by a Doctor, Hospital or Medical Clinic must be presented to airline staff upon check-in prior to boarding the flight to French Polynesia.

  • Complete the online Heath Document Etis.pf and obtain a receipt and authorization to travel. Present the receipt of the health registration from the Etis.pf platform (Electronic Travel Information System). A printout of this authorization 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 these documents will need to be presented upon arrival at Tahiti’s Faa’a international airport and carried with them while in Polynesia.

  • Required travel insurance or sign a declaration assuming all associated medical, confinement, or repatriation costs, should they fall ill during their stay.

During the stay:

Full details of entry are posted on the Tahiti Tourisme website found here:


Sailing on m/s Paul Gauguin

On a ship designed for a maximum of 332 passengers, you are assured to have plenty of social distancing opportunities. If you need a getaway, Tahiti would be a great solution!


Paul Gauguin Cruises will commence sailings in July, with two initial sailings for French Polynesian residents only and then they will welcome international travellers onboard. As part of welcoming travellers onboard you will see the following procedures taking place:

  • Luggage will pass through a disinfecting zone before being taken to your stateroom

  • Masks, disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer will be provided to all travellers

  • A la Carte dining will be provided in all restaurants

  • Occupancy in public spaces such as fitness rooms and theater will be capped at 50%

  • All high touch surfaces will be disinfected hourly

You can be assured of a healthy and safe environment onboard the M/S Paul Gauguin.


COVID-19 TESTING INFORMATION FOR TRAVELLERS RETURNING FROM THE ISLANDS OF TAHITI

  • Tests at the travelers’ expenses:

The health protocol process on arrival including the Tests will be at travelers’ expense as soon as the payment plan will be implemented by the Government.

The package costs will be:

  • 5 000XPF for each vaccinated traveler

  • 12 000XPF for all other travelers

Antigenic tests at departure from Tahiti

For passengers departing to the United States requiring a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding, the test center at the Faa’a international airport is reopened. A this stage, the center is open on days when flights to the US are scheduled from 3 PM until 8 PM.

In order to expediate your boarding process for your return flight to the United States, you may also pre-register for your antigen test and avoid a potential wait prior to departure. Two days prior to your return to the United States, you can contact departure@ilm.pf, with your last name, first name, date of birth and your file number obtained upon your arrival in French Polynesia (found on the label affixed to the back of your passport).

Full details can be found here


The Islands of Tahiti Testing Locations

With the list of nations requiring negative COVID-19 tests to be taken prior to departure continuing to expand, government agencies within French Polynesia including The Louis Malardé Institute, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism, are currently working together to find solutions to meet this growing demand.

Please review the list of current options for travelers that are required to take a test prior to departure.

Locations in Tahiti

  • Louis Malardé Institute (ILM) in Papeete

Address: COVID FARE at the crossroad between rue des Poilus Tahitiens and of rue du 5 mars 1797, Papeete Hours: Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The traveler must present himself at the Institute 72 hours before departure with his Airline ticket. The traveler will be provided with an ID and access code to download their results from the institute website.

The cost for an RT-PCR test is 17,100 xpf per person. (Approx. US$175) The cost for an antigenic test is 5,700 xpf per person.* (Approx. US$59)

  • Nahoata's Laboratory in Pirae

Address: Crossroad between avenue Pomare and rue Tuterai tane, Pirae Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Closed on Sundays

It is recommended to make an appointment as early as possible by phone at 40 54 33 33. For samples taken before 2pm, the results are available the same afternoon and accessible remotely via a secure server. Each patient will be given an identifier to download their results.

The cost for an RT-PCR test is 16 074 xpf per person. (Approx. US$164) Antigenic tests are not available.

  • Tamanu's Laboratory, Tamanu Shopping Center in Punaauia

Address: Centre commercial Tamanu, 1st floor Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Closed on Sundays.

It is recommended to make an appointment as early as possible by phone at 40 42 94 00. For samples taken before 2pm, the results are available the same afternoon and accessible remotely via a secure server. Each patient will be given an identifier to download their results.

The cost for an RT-PCR test is 16 074 xpf per person. (Approx. US$164) Antigenic tests are not available.

Locations in Moorea

  • The Moorea Laboratory,

Address: PK 3.5 Mountain-side in Tiaia, Maherepa Hours: Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Closed on Sundays

It is recommended to make an appointment as early as possible by phone at 40 55 05 85. The results are available the same afternoon and accessible remotely via a secure server. Each patient will be given an identifier to download their results.

The cost for an RT-PCR test is 16 074 xpf per person. (Approx. US$164) Antigenic tests are not available.

Other Islands

Government agencies are working to organize a collection network for additional islands (sampling, transmission to the Lab Institute, obtaining the results and payment) and will provide details as soon as available.

For now, travellers should therefore be advised to go to the island of Tahiti before their departure and choose one of the options above.

For the latest updates please visit our regularly updated COVID-19 Traveller Insights Dashboard

* The traveller should check with the health authorities of the country of destination what type of test is required but an RT-PCR test will cover all requirements.

departuresXdean - an independent agent with Personal Travel Mgmt. (BC Reg. 2806) proud members of the IGLTA and the Ensemble Travel Group.

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