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French Polynesia will reopen to international travelers on May 1

April 12, 2021
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2 min read
Over under island and shark underwater Rangiroa
French Polynesia will reopen to international travelers on May 1
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French Polynesia had been a popular destination for travelers seeking a pandemic getaway until it closed to international travelers in February.

The collectivity of France, which includes the sought-after islands of Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea will reopen to international travelers on May 1, according to French Polynesia's president.

"We are going to put in place a protocol at the entry of our borders using virological testing, serological testing, vaccine and ETIS (Electronic Travel Information System)," said President Edouard Fritch last week.

Fritch traveled to Paris and justified reopening by saying that the pandemic in French Polynesia was under control and that COVID-19 vaccines were available for all residents.

French Polynesia officially reopened to tourism last July. Travelers must present a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test taken within three days before departure, and travelers bound for Tahiti are subjected to a 10-day quarantine. According to Johns Hopkins University, French Polynesia has recorded over 18,000 cases of the novel coronavirus and 141 deaths.

Related: The best ways to get to Tahiti using points and miles

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Under the rules put in place in February, travelers to or from French Polynesia had to "justify that his situation falls under one of the three imperative reasons: personal/family, health [or] professional.”

Family reasons include situations like the death of a relative, health reasons include a “vital medical emergency” and professional reasons include healthcare workers combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. All acceptable reasons require documented proof.

The country has not yet released details on reopening including if Americans will be allowed to visit.

Featured image by Getty Images/iStockphoto
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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