New regulations have come into force in French Polynesia for those wanting to travel to France.
As from this week, travellers will have to prove on departure from Tahiti that they are fully vaccinated and provide a sworn statement that they have no Covid-19 symptoms.
The French High Commission said unvaccinated people will still be allowed to travel in urgent cases but need an attestation from the High Commission as well as a negative test carried out less than 72 hours before departure.
French High Commissioner to French Polynesia Dominique Sorain Photo: supplied
These travellers also must confirm that they can be screened and examined on arrival and accept possible advice to isolate.
The High Commission said a certificate of recovery alone won't suffice to be allowed to travel to France.
In view of the pandemic receding, the authorities have decided to ease restrictions from this weekend on condition that the outbreak won't worsen again.
Cultural events will again be allowed but a limit of 500 people will apply.
Cinemas may receive the public but only fill their premises to 50 percent.
However, a seven-hour curfew remains in place, curbing evening cinema shows and affecting hospitality outlets.
In the coming days, meetings are planned with sports and events organisers to determine ways of resuming activities.
The number of hospital patients with Covid-19 has dropped to below 100 after a spike in August when more than 400 were in care.
Dozens of people in hospital suffer from Long Covid which has prompted Paris to send another 14 healthcare specialists to help with their recovery.
Protests set to continue
Several groups opposed to a local vaccination obligation have vowed to continue their protests until the law is withdrawn.
The law, passed in August, will come into force in three weeks unless it is thrown out by France's highest administrative court, which is considering several challenges.
It applies to healthcare personnel and individuals in contact with the public.
While broadly supported by the government, it has been denounced by some opposition politicians but also by the president of the assembly and mayor of Bora Bora, Gaston Tong Sang.
Gaston Tong Sang Photo: Alchetron
He insists vaccinations should be voluntary, saying he has built up immunity after contracting Covid-19.
Rallies against the government policy were held in several islands but drew the largest crowd in Tahiti.
Among those addressing the meeting was a retired doctor Jean-Paul Theron, who has been in a stand-off with the authorities over prescribing Ivermectin.
He is facing criminal charges after an altercation with a bailiff but said he will take the High Commissioner Dominique Sorain and the public prosecutor Herve Leroy to task for impeding him to do his work.
Dr Theron said while he was under arrest one of his patients died and for that he will pursue the top French officials.