Pacific Hope: Fiji cautiously opens to foreign yachts

Port Denarau Marina © Noonsite

For Pacific cruisers needing to escape before cyclone season, relief came this month when Fiji cautiously opened to foreign yachts with a carefully planned framework.

Fiji's new Blue Lane procedure has been carefully crafted to enable foreign yachts to get into the country and keep Fijians safe from virus transmission. It includes a pre-application, appointing an agent, obtaining a Covid test prior to departure and a 14-day quarantine on arrival which does take passage time into account. Cynthia Rasch of Port Denarau Marina (the only port of entry for Fiji at this time) reports that "more than 100 boats have already applied to enter Fiji through the new Blue Lane procedure."

Australia too understands the problem Pacific cruisers are facing and after representation by the Ocean Cruising Club, the Australian Government have agreed that should yachts meet one of the exceptions for entry following an application process, they will be permitted to come and quarantine in Queensland.

New Zealand remains resolutely closed unless you are willing to part with a large chunk of the cruising kitty (must exceed $50,000) to get some serious work done on your boat. Vanuatu is closed until at least 2021 and New Caledonia until at least November, although transit stops are permitted in Noumea.

This article has been provided by the courtesy of noonsite.com.