International borders to open in the Pacific

By Isabelle Jurukovski

A majority of the Pacific region is now open to visitors, following years of being closed off to the rest of the world during the beginning and height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With Fiji leading the pack in December 2021, many Pacific countries have since followed suit and have gradually reopened or are on the path of reopening their borders to international travellers.

Despite borders re-opening and vaccination rates continuing to rise in the region, Pacific countries have implemented entry requirements that must be adhered to by all incoming travellers. The table below outlines what you need to know about current and upcoming border openings in the Pacific.

You will also need to make sure you are familiar with your country’s requirements for returning home from any of these Pacific countries.

Country	Border Opening Date	Entry Requirements
Fiji	Fiji’s borders have been opened to all international travellers since 1 December 2021.	The current entry requirements into Fiji are as follows: Fiji is only open to fully vaccinated travellers. All travellers (16 years and above) must display proof of vaccination at the airport prior to departure to Fiji. Fiji does not require travellers to do a COVID-19 test before boarding a flight to Fiji, however travellers (12 years and above) must take a pre-booked Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) anytime within 72 hours of arrival into Fiji, at their hotel or nearby testing facility. The test must be taken by travellers transiting Fiji for more than 48 hours. Travellers who are foreign nationals entering Fiji for a holiday must also have proof of insurance for COVID-19 coverage. This will be checked by Fiji Airways before departure and other airlines may do the same. If you test positive for COVID-19 in Fiji, you will need to isolate for 7 days at your accommodation.
Papua New Guinea	Papua New Guinea’s borders have been opened to all international travellers since 16 February 2022.	The current entry requirements into PNG are as follows: All travellers must be fully vaccinated unless they are under 18 years of age or are a citizen of PNG. All travellers must have a valid COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to their departure. All travellers will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival. If you test positive upon arrival, you will need to quarantine for 7 days. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 30 days, you must have a medical certificate certifying you are no longer infectious. You will still be tested prior to departure within 72 hours and be tested on arrival to PNG. All people departing PNG will also be tested for COVID-19 within 7 days prior to travel.
Niue	Niue’s borders were opened to all international travellers on 28 June 2022. However, flights are only available direct via New Zealand. Those wishing to travel from outside New Zealand must travel via New Zealand and meet border entry requirements for both New Zealand and Niue	The current entry requirements for Niue are as follows: Fully vaccinated (16 years and above). Proof of vaccination – digital vaccine passport or another form of electronic or paper document. Negative COVID-19 PCR test completed in New Zealand within 48 hours of departure to Niue. Children under 3 years are exempt. If you have recently recovered from COVID-19 in the last 3 months, you must have a Fit to Fly certificate or letter from a medical practitioner. Travel Insurance. Complete a Niue Traveller Declaration Form. Proof of vaccination documents or exemption documents, proof of pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test results and proof of travel insurance must be attached to the form. All travellers are required to get tested on Days 1 and 3 after touching down in Niue. If you test positive for COVID-19 you will be required to isolate at your accommodation at your own cost.
Cook Islands	Cook Islands’ borders were opened to all international travellers on 1 May 2022. However, flights are only available direct via Auckland, New Zealand. Those wishing to travel from outside New Zealand must travel via New Zealand and meet border entry requirements for both New Zealand and the Cook Islands.	The current entry requirements into the Cook Islands are as follows: Be fully vaccinated and provide official evidence of vaccination (or if relevant, evidence of medical vaccination exemption). Completion of online COVID-19 information form within 96 hours of departure. Meet normal Cook Islands immigration entry requirements. If you test positive for COVID-19 in the Cook Islands, you will need to isolate for 7 days at your accommodation along with their household contact/s.
Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands’ borders were opened to all international travellers on 1 July 2022.	The current entry requirements into Solomon Islands are as follows: All travellers must complete a negative COVID-19 PCR test 72 hours before arrival. All travellers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 4 weeks before departure. All travellers are required to complete a Pre-Departure Questionnaire 5 days prior to their intended date of arrival in Solomon Islands Copies of the test, vaccination certificates and questionnaire must be sent to NHEOC_REPAT@moh.gov.sb.
Vanuatu	Vanuatu’s borders were opened to all international travellers on 1 July 2022.	There is no requirement for international travellers to be fully vaccinated before travelling to Vanuatu. There is also no requirement for travellers to Vanuatu to quarantine or be tested upon arrival. However, all travellers (aged 2 years and above) must provide at departure the following evidence: Negative COVID-19 PCR test done 24 to 72 hours before scheduled departure, or Negative COVID-19 supervised certified RAT done within 24 hours of scheduled departure; or Positive COVID-19 RAT or PCR test at least 8 days but no more than 2 months before the date of scheduled departure; or A recovery letter from a medical doctor stating that the traveller has recovered from a COVID-19 infection within the last 2 months and is no longer infectious. The evidence of a negative result will need to be provided in advance of travel at the airline check-in desk and will need to be presented to the border control agent upon arrival in Vanuatu. If you test positive for COVID-19 in Vanuatu, you will need to isolate for 7 days at a hotel or resort with approved isolation Standard Operating Procedures.
Kiribati	Kiribati’s borders will open to all international travellers on 1 August 2022.	All international travel to and from Kiribati will return to normal on 1 August 2022. The details of the entry requirements for Kiribati following the border re-opening are yet to be confirmed by the Tourism Authority Kiribati.
Samoa	Samoa’s borders will open to all international travellers on 1 August 2022.	Currently the borders are only open to returning residents and essential workers. The current entry requirements include: Fully vaccinated (12 years and above) – travellers must be fully vaccinated (2 doses) with a vaccine prescribed by the World Health Organisation. All travellers must have completed 14 days post vaccination prior to travel. Proof of vaccination – a legitimate vaccine certificate is required for boarding. Negative COVID-19 test – a Supervised RAT within 24 hours of departure or PCR, taken within 48 hours of departure. In the lead up to the reopening of borders on 1 August 2022, the Samoan Ministry of Health has indicated that entry requirements could be relaxed.
Marshall Islands	Marshall Island’s borders will open to all international travellers on 1 October 2022, depending on COVID-19 developments.	The Marshall Islands government has announced that the entry requirements from 1 October 2022 for international travellers will include: Fully vaccinated and proof of vaccination. Negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 24 hours of departure. Upon arrival into the Marshall Islands, all travellers will need to undertake a Supervised RAT and will also need to quarantine at their home or accommodation for five days, with a RAT on Day 5.