The Vanuatu Ministry of Health has outlined a phased plan to welcome back international travellers once the country hits 70% vaccination rate.
The Vanuatu Ministry of Health has released the country’s border reopening plan to welcome international visitors in 2022.
According to the plan, there are three phases of reopening based on key vaccination and public health milestones:
- Phase One: Once 70 per cent of adults are fully vaccinated nationwide, fully vaccinated international travellers aged 18 and over will be able to enter the country, though arrival caps will apply. Visitors will need to complete seven days of hotel quarantine in Vanuatu’s capital city, Port Vila, upon arrival. For the seven days following this, they will only be allowed to travel within Efate.
- Phase Two: At 80 per cent fully vaccinated, the international arrival cap will increase, allowing fully vaccinated travellers aged 12 and over to enter the country. Travellers will need to undergo three days of hotel quarantine in Port Vila, and for the four days following this will only be allowed to travel within Efate. After this time, travellers will have the option to visit other provinces that have reached vaccination goals.
- Phase Three: At 90 per cent fully vaccinated, Vanuatu will open its borders completely to all eligible travellers that are fully vaccinated (including boosters). International travellers will not be required to quarantine, there will be no restrictions to movement and all of Vanuatu’s provinces will be open for travel.
Once in Vanuatu, travellers will be required to check in to all venues, and many venues may require proof of vaccination for entry.
A phased border reopening plan is a key step to restarting international travel, says the CEO of the Vanuatu Tourism Office, Mrs Adela Issachar Aru.
“Unveiling our border reopening plan is an extremely important event and signifies great news for our tourism industry,” says Mrs Issachar Aru.
“We’ve been keeping Vanuatu beautiful, and we’re so excited to start welcoming travellers back to our country. The Vanuatu Government is committed to planning a way forward to live with COVID as international travel restarts and this roadmap will help us do so in a way that’s safe for both our people and our visitors,” she says.
Visitors will undergo COVID-19 testing and other travel history screenings throughout each of the three phases, including showing proof of COVID-appropriate travel insurance.
Vanuatu Tourism Office plans to relaunch its marketing activity this year, predicting the country will achieve phases 1 and 2 before the middle of this year.
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