The authorities of New Caledonia announced Thursday, April 1, the end of the containment measures in place since March 9, given the risk "
now very low
" of circulation of the Covid-19 virus.
Read also: New Caledonia, French laboratory for the "zero Covid" strategy
“
As I speak to you, the risk of the virus circulating among the Caledonian population is now very low,
” Thierry Santa, president of the government, said at a press conference.
“
We have decided to resume activities as widely as possible (...).
From tomorrow, you will be able to freely enjoy life outdoors, all activities will be able to resume, on the sole condition of respecting the barrier gestures and the recommendations
”of the health authorities, he also announced.
Strict confinement with closure of schools had been decreed on March 9 for two weeks then extended twice after the detection of cases outside the fortnight for the first time in a year.
The virus was introduced via the sanitary bubble in place with the neighboring archipelago of Wallis and Futuna.
In all since March 7, 14 cases imported from Wallis and Futuna, 11 secondary cases and an indigenous case on March 25 have been detected.
"
Become Covid-free again
"
Only gatherings of more than 50 people remain prohibited and discos closed until Sunday April 11.
Likewise, wearing a mask continues to be compulsory in work premises, places open to the public and when traveling with others.
As for bars and restaurants, they can reopen but must close at midnight, limit themselves to table service and set up reminder notebooks, making it possible to trace and identify their customers.
Schoolchildren and students are on Easter vacation until April 12.
Domestic transport, land and air, will resume but internationally, air traffic is drastically reduced until October 31 and all arrivals remain subject to isolation for 14 days in requisitioned hotels.
"
We once again have the opportunity to be an example of a territory capable of controlling the circulation of the virus and becoming Covid-free again
", for his part declared the High Commissioner of the Republic, Laurent Prévost, paying tribute to "the
good citizenship of the population
”.
A vaccination campaign is also underway in Le Caillou (270,000 inhabitants) where 32,183 people have received at least one injection.
