TRAVELLING TO VANUATU
We are so excited to welcome international travelers back to our shores from 1 July, 2022. Our beautiful smiles await you, and we invite you to Answer the Call of Vanuatu once again!
Here’s what you need to know about visiting Vanuatu as a tourist come 1 July.
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL:
You’ll need to produce a certified negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) result from within 24 hours of departure. Or, if you’ve recently had Covid-19, you need to show a certificate of infection and recovery within 28 days of departure, issued by a certified medical practitioner. That’s it!
More information on how you’ll need to present the relevant certificates and paperwork is to come.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE:
You won’t need to quarantine or do any testing upon arrival.
IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 WHILE IN VANUATU:
You’ll need to isolate for seven days in a managed government designated and approved facility - This may include hotels and resorts or other government health centers subject to availability.
You’ll need to report the results of your positive RAT test through the Vanuatu Government’s Covid-19 hotline (119), through an online reporting form (link to come) or through your hotel.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
• The provinces and islands that have reached Health Recovery Level 1 status (meaning they have high levels of vaccination and their Covid-19 situation is stable) will be open to international visitors. Efate (Port Vila) and Sanma (Luganville) have reached this status, and we invite you to visit covid.19.gov.vu to view the most up to date information on specific provinces/islands and their statuses.
• The safety of both locals and visitors remains paramount, and these entry requirements are subject to change.
o We advise you to click here for the most up to date information.
o We will also publish relevant updates on the Vanuatu Tourism Office Facebook page (linked here).
GETTING TO VANUATU
Air Vanuatu will be operating 16 flights a week to and from Port Vila, out of Auckland, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Noumea, Nadi and Funafuti. A schedule is shown below.
We are awaiting confirmation of the recommencement of Air Vanuatu’s flights schedule between Port Vila and Espiritu Santo.
Then, in addition to Air Vanuatu:
• Aircalin will operate two flights per week on Mondays and Fridays between Noumea and Port Vila.
Please click here to find out more about Air Vanuatu and here for more information on Aircalin.
Other regional airlines have also confirmed their interests to return to Vanuatu, currently under Government regulatory review and approval.
TRAVELLING SAFELY IN VANUATU
The Vanuatu Government and the Vanuatu Tourism Office have been working with the tourism industry throughout the country to ensure the safety of the People of Vanuatu and travelers once borders can safely reopen.
We have introduced the Safe Business Operations (SBO) initiative.
SAFE BUSINESS OPERATIONS INITIATIVE
The Vanuatu tourism industry is working hard to welcome international travellers back to Vanuatu in a Covid safe way, and the Vanuatu Government's Safe Business Operations guidelines are in place to address any business health protocols. This is currently being rolled out across the country.
WHAT IS IT?
The Safe Business Operations program trains Vanuatu's tourism and hospitality businesses to ensure enhanced cleaning, personal hygiene, and protection measures are in place to combat the spread of Covid-19 and ensure the safety of visitors and locals once borders open.
Similar to the programs in place in Australia and New Zealand, all accredited Safe Business Operations tourism businesses will:
• Have a dedicated Covid-19 safety officer that is up to date on the Ministry of Health guidelines and the Vanuatu Alert Outbreak system, who will act as a point of contact and authority for visitors and employees on any questions to do with travel and tourism in Vanuatu and Covid-19.
• Be "Triple C Certified". Triple C stands for clean, caring and checked, and it's a signifier for travellers that the business has undertaken the Safe Business Operations training program and offers enhanced safety measures for guests and employees. Certified businesses will be allowed to use a "Triple C Certified" logo on their websites and social media and to display it at the entry of their businesses. It will also be shown on business listings on our website as guidance for travellers.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR TRAVELLERS?
Vanuatu is committed to the protection of guests and locals alike as borders open, and we know safety will be a key consideration for travellers when choosing where they venture, stay, eat and play.
Completion of the Safe Business Operations program includes a compliance audit ensuring full implementation of the program. This means that you can travel with peace of mind, knowing you have an informed and trained point of contact that can provide Covid-19 advice while you're in Vanuatu. Look out for the logo to easily identify which accommodation providers and tour operators offer this enhanced level of safety and protection.
The Safe Business Operations program commenced earlier this year and will continue to run until each of Vanuatu's more than 300 tourism and hospitality businesses are certified.
Stay tuned to our website and social media pages (Facebook and Instagram) for updates on protection and safety measures in Vanuatu as borders open.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – GO HERE.