Asia, Pacific and Indian Ocean - Covid update
by Noonsite 1 Nov 2021 17:19 AEDT
Pacific © Noonsite
Pacific
Long stay visas for French Polynesia are being issued once more and the French Embassy in Mexico City have confirmed they are accepting applications from non-residents in Mexico. Read this cruiser's report on how they obtained authorization to enter French Polynesia while on passage to Australia.
Fiji is opening its borders to international travelers and sailors from 11 November. The Blue Lane Procedures currently in force for yacht arrivals will be modified accordingly. Kiribati's President has announced that the country will start opening its borders in January 2022 and Australia will now allow Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members to enter the country by sea.
South East Asia
It is still only possible for foreign yachts to enter Malaysia if they have an official reason, however, movement is on the horizon with Langkawi now open for domestic tourism, but no changes on the mainland. Thailand's special tourist visa granted to yacht arrivals has been extended until 30 September 2022 and vaccinated yachts now only need to do 7 days quarantine on arrival.
Starting 1 November, Thailand plans to lift the quarantine for fully vaccinated foreign visitors arriving by air from approved countries. It is hoped this will be extended to yacht arrivals. For cruisers wanting to visit Indonesia now it has re-opened, Wick Alliston from Sorong in West Papua gives a detailed run down on the new requirements for yachts and how to secure a visa.
Indian Ocean
OSASA report that Madagascar is expected to open for cruisers by the end of October. Mozambique remains open with testing the only requirement and clearance in Maputo is reported to be straightforward and easy. Mayotte only requires an inward declaration with yachts reporting that no checks were made of pre-arrival Covid tests. After 1.5 years of closed doors, India re-opens to charter flights this month and from November 15 to visiting yachts as the e-tourist visa at seaports becomes available once more.
Mauritius opened on 1 October, albeit with a complex entry process for yachts and high fees. In contrast, Reunion has been open for over a year and has no entry charges. The Indian Ocean Territories of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are now open for sailing yachts on a case-by-case basis, at least for yachts from Western Australia, South Australia, and Northern Territory.
This article has been provided by the courtesy of noonsite.com.