New Caledonia's Covid-19 outbreak continues to spread with almost 10,000 active cases.
This includes 1,289 new infections detected over the preceding 24 hours.
25 people are in hospital as the authorities have reopened some hotel facilities as temporary care centres.
Photo: Clotilde Richalet / Hans Lucas
About 67 percent of the total population is fully vaccinated.
Last week, Paris declared a health emergency in New Caledonia but the French High Commission in Noumea has decided against another lockdown.
Some restrictions were introduced after last month's detection the Omicron variant, limiting the size of meetings and upholding mask wearing obligation.
Defying the policy, hundreds of people demonstrated on Saturday to show their opposition to mask wearing obligations in schools.
Since last Tuesday, antigen tests are no longer free but cost a minimum $US27.
The change upset some traditional leaders in the Loyalty Islands, who then demanded the suspension of the health pass, needed to board flights.
The dispute briefly closed the airport on Lifou, and tests for flights to and from Noumea are now free again.
In September, the territory's Congress passed a law making vaccinations mandatory, but its application has been repeatedly deferred and is now not expected to be enforced before the end of the month.
Situation also worsening in French Polynesia
The spread of Covid-19 in French Polynesia has sped up, with the number of active cases more than tripling in less than a week to 2,080.
According to the official figures, just over 1,000 new infections were detected at the weekend.
Despite the surge in recorded cases, there has been additional pressure on hospitals.
From this week, the French vaccine pass will come into use for those 16 years and older, replacing the health pass needed for access to venues and events.
Unvaccinated people will be excluded from restaurants, sports arenas and other venues, and inter-island travel.
Exceptions will be granted for unvaccinated outer island residents wanting to return home from Tahiti.