French Polynesia

Tahiti closes in on 6000 Covid-19 cases

The authorities said 2154 cases were active as the pandemic showed no sign of slowing.

20 people died while 78 were in hospital, including 17 in intensive care.

All but 62 cases were detected after the borders were reopened in July and mandatory quarantine requirements were abolished to boost tourism.

Cultural and sporting events involving the public have been called off.

A nine-hour curfew is being reintroduced on order from Paris, but it has been adjusted by the French High Commission to apply to only Tahiti and Moorea.

     

14th person dies in French Polynesia's Covid-19 pandemic

10 of them are in intensive care.

Just over 200 new infections were recorded in the previous two days.

The French High Commissioner has described the rapid spread of the virus as a brutal aggravation.

All but 62 of the 3797 cases were detected after the borders were reopened and mandatory quarantine requirements were abolished in July.

Among those to test positive are the president Edouard Fritch and his predecessor Gaston Flosse, whose joint appeal court case this week had to be deferred until November.

Latest Covid outbreak in French Polynesia tops 300

The government said 310 infections were recorded this month and 119 of them were considered recovered.

11 cases relate to tourists who had to self-test four days after arriving in Tahiti.

Three Covid-19 cases were reported on Raiatea.

Because of the worsening outbreak, the government and the French High Commission further tightened distancing measures.

Masks must be worn in urban areas and busy places, while any gathering involving more than 10 people must have official authorisation.

Several schools in Tahiti are also affected.

Group chooses self-styled king in Tahiti

According to La Premiere several dozen people attended the event at Arahurahu marae in Tahiti where Bernard Taiore was installed.

The Polynesian Kingdom of Atooi was launched last year when it claimed to have formed a new government for French Polynesia.

It said it had worked on its new government for three years, had its own flag and purported to have its own money.

Three years ago, another self-styled king in Tahiti, Athanase Teiri, was given a jail sentence for circulating a fake currency of his Pakumotu republic.

     

Tahiti tourists to self-test for Covid-19

To boost tourism, quarantine obligations will be lifted in the middle of next week.

Flights between Tahiti and Paris restarted a week ago, and from 15 July Air Tahiti Nui will also resume its return flighs to Los Angeles

However, anyone bound for Tahiti has to undergo a Covid-19 test 72 hours before departure, register with the authorities and self-test four days after arrival.

The authorities said the self-test kit was widely used in the US and in German schools.

It is not immediately clear what happens for those disregarding the rules.

Tahiti hotels decry travel restrictions

Thierry Brovelli, who is a top industry representative, said the current quarantine provisions would also hit people's health because within months the social service agency would be broke.

Anyone arriving in French Polynesia has to be isolated for two weeks.

Officials said up to 20,000 jobs were at risk and 67,000 people had no unemployment insurance.

Some hotels have closed for good while others were waiting for international air travel to restart.

More residents repatriated to Tahiti after Covid-19 wait in France

The French High Commission said the chartered Air Tahiti Nui plane carried, apart from freight, returning residents and members of mobile police squad who would be quarantined in the barracks.

Four more such flights are planned until the end of June when scheduled airline services are expected to resume.

Hundreds of residents remain stranded in France, with no additional plans to accelerate their return.

Meanwhile, the government eased restrictions on the sale of alcohol so designated wine shop and liquor outlets can open except for Sunday afternoons.

French Polynesia curfew extended to 29 April

The French High Commissioner Dominique Sorain made the announcement at a briefing with the French Polynesian president Edouard Fritch.

The curfew, which was first declared on 27 March, applies between 8pm and 5am.

Mr Sorain said the restrictions were needed because of the steady but slow progression of the virus which to date has infected 51 people in French Polynesia.

He said an Air Tahiti Nui airliner chartered by the French government was due to return from Paris at the weekend, bringing in 25 tonnes of medical supplies.

French Polynesia Covid-19 cases now at 36

There has been another confirmed Covid-19 infection in French Polynesia, raising the total to 36.

One of the carriers is in hospital care.

The latest update shows that for two consecutive days there has been an increase of the tally by just one.

The person who tested positive on Rangiroa was to be transferred to Tahiti which has the majority of cases.

     

French Polynesia Covid-19 tally rises to 34

The update from the government said the hospitalisation rate is unchanged with one person in care.

Last night a curfew was declared for the first time, forcing residents across all islands to stay indoor from 8pm to 5am.

The curfew will be in place until 15 April, and anyone caught breaching it can be fined at least $US150 and risks one year in prison.

The curfew was foreshadowed last weekend when movements were restricted, and the public was warned of a possible complete lockdown.