Due to a new COVID-19 positive confirmed case found in a decreased person on Saturday 17th April 2021, a temporary outbound travel restriction is deemed necessary. The temporary advise was issued by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) as the Authority responsible for the Government’s Covid-19 task force. Prime Minister of Vanuatu said, the government will take action to issued order to ban outbound travel from Efate for three days while contact tracing efforts were conducted immediately.

Vanuatu is now in Scenario 2A, meaning confirmed Cases in Quarantine (Border Cases) and Scenario 2B -Confirmed Cases Locally (Sporadic or Cluster Cases). People are strongly warned not to travel out of Efate Island by sea or by air during this temporary travel restriction and applies to both domestic and international passenger who wishes to travel.

According to the Director-General of Health, Russell Tamata, the hospital has sufficient tests kits for voluntarily testing. The Prime Minister Bob Loughman also appealed to the public to voluntarily test for the virus at the Vila Central Hospital (VCH). The Ministry of Health (MOH) and other government agencies are currently investigating and collecting samples from the people who had direct and indirect contact with the decreased. Contacts who develop symptoms will be isolated or self-quarantine immediately and follow all recommendations of health authorities.

Prime Minister Loughman said businesses will operate as usual but appealed to the people to abide by Covid-19 safety protocols such as social distancing. Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Agency -VFIPA, also support the government decision and strongly advise its clients, who act as an employer to be responsible for health and safety in your business. Health and safety regulations or policies which are currently in place to protect businesses, employees and the public.

Vanuatu has reported only three previous cases of Covid-19, all at the border, but with a series of strict public control measures, public are strongly advised to remain calm and maintain safe and healthy hygiene practices at all times. The temporary outbound people travel restriction will be effective from Monday 19th to Wednesday 21st April 2021.