Pacific / French Polynesia

Covid-19 still spreading in French Polynesia

12:48 pm on 1 February 2022

French Polynesia has recorded a further 465 Covid-19 cases over the past 72 hours.

Medical services are stretched because of a rapid spread of Covid-19 Photo: FB French High Commission in French Polynesia

Health authorities say there are now 900 active cases, but the outbreak appears to be stabilising.

Two people are in hospital.

French Polynesia saw a spike in infections in August when Delta caused hundreds of fatalities.

The French Covid-19 vaccine pass will come into force in French Polynesia next week, replacing the health pass in use for access to venues and events.

The French High Commission said the new provisions, adopted by the French National Assembly earlier this month, will apply from 8 February for those 16 years and older.

Unvaccinated people will then be excluded from restaurants, sports arenas and other venues, and it will stop them from inter-island travel.

Exceptions will be granted for unvaccinated outer island residents wanting to return home from Tahiti.

Reports say many employees required by law to be vaccinated against Covid-19 have failed to get inoculated.

The law was adopted in August but after legal challenges and protests by civil society groups, the government agreed to defer its implementation from October to December.

Fines are yet to be issued to those breaching the law, which stipulates a sum of $US1,650.

In view of the protests, President Edouard Fritch agreed to lower the sum to $US760, but the assembly is yet to vote on the promised change.