The VFIPA wishes to advice all existing and potential foreign investors of the latest Government update in regards to the Extension of the State of Emergency (SoE) in Vanuatu.

The Council of Ministers (COM) in its recent meeting has approved for the President to extend the State of Emergency (SoE) for the current coronavirus pandemic under Disaster Risk Management Act No. 23 of 2019.

1. Over the whole of Vanuatu for strengthening international border control and prevention measures and infection prevention and control standards in response to the covid-9 pandemic
2. The SoE extension period will begin from 1^st August to 31^st December 2021 and shall be extended subject to advice from the National Disaster Committee (NDC)

The current SoE established since the outbreak of the covid-19 disease will lapse at the end of July, 2021. Given the evolving nature of the covid-19 pandemic, particularly the delta variant form which is currently fast spreading and causing serious negative impacts globally, lifting the SoE would be a huge risk to Vanuatu.

The Council of Ministers wants to ensure peace and security is maintained, and for health facilities to be improved, and finally the Ministry of Infrastructure is tasked to maintain the international border restrictions in line with COVID-19 prevention measures.

This means that measures such as good hygiene practices and social distancing will always be a priority. The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) with the supports from the government encourage departments, statutory entity, community, company or individual to control the spread of COVID-19 and assist with economy recovery.

This will also allow businesses to require special measures to protect their operations, infrastructure and workers from covid-19. It is important for businesses to establish a plan beforehand in order to protection their business or seek supports and to prepare in case an emergency happens in near future.

The extension of the SoE will also allow for a more focussed and coordinated approach in the vaccination rollout to ensure 100% vaccination coverage of the country. Current coverage is around 20,000 people most of whom are on Efate and Port Vila. The program is yet to reach the rural parts of the country.

One of the measures the VFIPA has provided to its customers during the pandemic is providing up-to-date information on Government’s measures and responses to the covid-19 pandemic. Please visit our webpage : https://www.investvanuatu.vu/newsroom/covid-19-update-2/ for more updates.