French Polynesia border restrictions set to hit tourism

TAHITI: Tourism is set to suffer a sharp decline in French Polynesia as the territory is about to close the border in response to the latest French Government decision aimed at slowing the Covid19 pandemic.

At the weekend, France suspended all travel from and to nonEuropean Union destinations except in urgent cases, with the ban being extended to Tahiti tomorrow.

The French High Commission in Tahiti said this time French Polynesia's tourism sector would not be granted an exemption.

It also said tourists still in

Tahiti were allowed to leave, as their travel home was considered a reason for an exemption.

Last July, French Polynesia reopened its borders and abolished mandatory quarantine requirements to boost tourism.

As the only accessible international tourist destination in the South Pacific, it attracted visitors from mainly France and the United States.

Since the reopening in July, it registered 18,000 Covid19 cases, including 132 deaths.

During the preceding lockdown, French Polynesia recorded 62 infections and had eliminated the virus. — RNZ