Personal Safety
OFFICIALS HAVE EXTENDED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS THROUGH AT LEAST JULY 31, 2021. INBOUND INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS SUSPENDED, THOUGH AUTHORITIES WILL AUTHORIZE SOME REPATRIATION, FREIGHT, AND MEDICAL TRANSPORT FLIGHTS. FOREIGN NATIONALS REMAIN BANNED FROM ENTRY, EXCEPT FOR THOSE ESSENTIAL TO THE ECONOMY. MOST RETURNING RESIDENTS HAVE TO QUARANTINE FOR 14 DAYS IN GOVERNMENT RUN FACILITIES. OFFICIALS WILL QUARANTINE VISITORS DISPLAYING COVID-19 SYMPTOMS AT A MEDICAL FACILITY. GATHERINGS OF ALL SIZES MAY OCCUR, RESTAURANTS AND BARS CAN OPERATE WITHOUT CONTACT TRACING OR CAPACITY LIMITS, AND RESIDENTS DO NOT NEED OT WEAR FACE COVERINGS ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
Note: this page contains basic risk information. For more details, please contact the Risk Services Office at risk@berkeley.edu.
If you are traveling to New Caledonia on University-related business, please sign up for the University’s travel insurance program here. For more information on the travel insurance program, please go here.
Because everyone’s health is unique, we suggest seeking the advice of a medical professional before traveling internationally. Members of the campus community interested in protecting their health while abroad may schedule an appointment with the University Health Services International Travel Clinic.
The geopolitical threat in New Caledonia is considered low. New Caledonia is an overseas territory of France. Located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the territory comprises the main island of Grand Terre, the Loyalty Island chain, and several smaller islands. Although New Caledonia is politically stable, incidents of civil unrest in response to secessionist and socioeconomic concerns have occurred in the past and remain a minor, medium-term concern. Protests, when they occur, tend to impact urban centers such as the capital, Noumea. The village of St Louis, through which the RP1 highway runs, is also a noted protest hotspot; curfews and road closures have been implemented numerous times in the past in response to violent civil unrest. In an attempt to settle secessionist issues, a referendum on independence from France is expected no later than November 2018.
The threat of civil unrest in New Caledonia is low. Protests occasionally occur in New Caledonia and sometimes devolve into violence. Most demonstrations are related to social issues or political developments. Protests are most common in Noumea and the Saint-Louis area of Le Mont-Dore and typically cause significant transportation delays.
The threat of kidnapping in New Caledonia is minimal. Kidnappings are not a regular occurrence, and kidnappers are more likely to target locals. The most common types of abduction in New Caledonia are related to personal or criminal disputes. Victims are usually released unharmed and relatively quickly.
Legal/Political
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law.
Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S.
LGBTI Travelers: We are not aware of any reports of violence against persons based on sexual orientation or gender identity or prosecutions of consenting adults under these provisions.