Coronovirus- and the 2020 season

 This worldwide catastrophe is having a major effect on the 2020 cruising season. As I write this, June 22, 2020, most countries in the South Pacific, including NZ, have restricted arrivals in some way.
The situation is very fluid and Fiji's Denerau Marina now has a system for entering Fiji. The following is from their web site:
Fiji Maritime borders open to Foreign Flagged vessels and SuperyachtsAfter months of advocating to the Fiji Government, we are delighted to announce that the Prime Minister of Fiji, today in his speech declared maritime borders open for foreign flagged vessels and Superyachts.
There are however strict conditions to follow to ensure entry. PM’s speech highlights the requirements:
Fiji will be establishing safe ‘blue lanes‘, open to those yachts and pleasure crafts sailing to Fiji. Any boat coming to Fiji will be carefully considered on a case-by-case basis. The only port of entry will be Port Denarau Marina. If this pilot project is successful, extending blue lanes to other ports and marinas will be considered.
Those eligible to sail to Fiji fall under two categories, both of which will require them to be tested in another country before departing.

• If their journey to Fiji will take 14 days or longer uninterrupted at sea, once they dock in Fiji and show proof of a negative test result, everyone on board will be screened by the Ministry of Health for symptoms. If they’re deemed to be healthy, their yacht will be allowed to freely visit other ports throughout Fiji.
• Alternatively, those with a journey at sea shorter than 14 days will be required to make up the difference in quarantine once they dock in Fiji at their own cost. So, say they spend eight days alone at sea –– they will then be required to pay for six days of quarantine in Fiji, after which they can be cleared by a negative test result, also at their own cost. 
• All visitors must download the careFIJI App to enter the country.

Please refer to PM’s full speech for full details and further information on other border requirements and restrictions in Fiji.
https://www.denaraumarina.com/fiji-maritime-borders-open-to-foreign-flagged-vessels-and-superyachts/

Arrival in NZ
Good news is that boats having completed the pre departure requirements can in fact come to NZ.  This is covered in a document which I have put into our FLOTSAM section. The passage time is included in the 14 day quarantine period.
 
Coordination in NZ is taking place and marinas who have crew affected are talking to each other. The questions being raised relate to crew outside NZ wanting to return to their boats, as well as those in NZ with visas about to expire. At the moment crew visas, and TIE,  have been extended to near the end of September. I have contacted the Minister of immigration to seek an extension of this time for foreign crew as it is not sensible to leave NZ at the end of September! I will update this site when I have a response.
We hope you are enjoying  winter cruising around NZ.  We are!
 
If anyone has any fresh information please contact the following who will pass the information to those in the loop.
ghradio@xtra.co.nz  (Patricia)
editor@noonsite.com  (Sue)
https://www.noonsite.com/news/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-special-procedures
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