The Delta virus has suddenly hit Tahiti and her islands hard ! But as visitors heading to the islands during this time how will it affect you and should you go?
The borders in and out of Tahiti remain open with International and Domestic flights still operating – all vaccinated guests are welcome, it’s a little more problematic for non vaccinated guests. Arriving at the airport and being transferred to your next flight, hotel, ferry terminal or hotel is as normal, the little airport as busy as ever.
Once at your resort hotel, there are a few limitations. Let’s face it, if you are booked into an overwater bungalow in some delicious, all inclusive resort on Bora Bora or Moorea at The Brando, Four Seasons, Conrad, Thalassa, St Regis etc etc once there you were not planning on moving much anyway RIGHT???
If you are booked into a cheaper Bed and Breakfast with limited facilities and limited hotel grounds you might want to think about postponing for a month. You wont be able to leave the resort unless heading out to buy essential supplies so things might get a bit claustrophobic. UNLESS you are staying on one of the many islands that are NOT in lockdown, and there are plenty – so why not speak to your travel agent about an island change?
This may be the moment when the worlds eyes are opened to the fact that French Polynesia is 119 islands and not just Tahiti ,Bora Bora, Rangiroa, Huahine,, Moorea and Fakarava!!!
Tahiti Tourism spells out pretty clearly which islands are restricted by LOCKDOWN and the lock down rules
The Society Islands (Bora Bora Tahiti Moorea Raiatea etc) between Monday, August 23 and Monday, September 6, 2021, International travellers may :
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travel to and from the airport or the ferry terminal (with the travel authorisation available on the High Commission’s website).
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enjoy freely their place of lodging as long as they stay within the property. Activities respecting current health measures are allowed within tourist accommodation. Activities in a designated area in the lagoon in front of tourist accommodation (beach, snorkelling, swimming, paddle boarding, etc.) are permitted.
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leave their accommodation for professional or health reasons or for essential goods purchases (with the travel authorisation available on the High Commission’s website).
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These measures are also applicable in the island of Rurutu, in the Gambier Islands and in Fakarava, Rangiroa, Tikehau, Manihi, Mataiva, Ahe, Makatea, Apataki, Kaukura, Kauehi, Aratika, Raraka, Niau, Katiu, Taenga, Takume, Raroia, Tepoto Nord, Takapoto, Arutua, Makemo, Napuka, Takaroa and Tureia – only during the weekend, from Friday 8 pm to Monday 4 am. The travel authorisation for the weekends is available on the High Commission’s website. These measures are not in place during the week.
Basically you can do just about everything accept all ACTIVITIES that use suppliers from outside the hotel complex and you can not leave the hotel on those islands to eat out,all restaurants bars and non essential shops are closed (French Polynesia not being a shopping destination – this won’t bother anyone too much)
If you want to head to an island NOT under Lockdown there are still many to choose from in the Tuamotu islands ( not mentioned in the list above) and Australs or to the Marquesas Islands
What you need to be aware of is that very few Polynesians (up until now) are vaccinated – this is rapidly changing as the sad reality of Covid touches the lives of many. The wonderful population (big Facebook fans) are now heading to be vaccinated but they need time to be protected. KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCING KEEP MASKS ON WHEN IN CONTACT WITH OTHERS AND KEEP THAT GEL OUT
French Polynesia is still open and will remain open – we will be happy to see you here on our islands, as we quickly get over the tragedy of the ravages of the Delta virus
