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In brief: News from around the Pacific

Monday 22 November 2021 | Written by RNZ | Published in Pacific Islands, Regional

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In brief: News from around the Pacific
Air Caledonie Photo: supplied FB

More New Caledonia domestic flights; 90 percent of Fiji population fully vaccinated against Covid-19; Fiji eases curfew

More New Caledonia domestic flights

More domestic flights in New Caledonia will be available from tomorrow, with links to Mare reopening.

Air Caledonie had its services disrupted for weeks, in part because of opposition to the Covid-19 health pass needed for air travel.

Last week, it restarted flights from Noumea to the outer islansds Ouvea, the Isle of Pines and Lifou.

The carrier says with occupancy at around 50 percent, there will be three flights a week, but from mid-December daily flights are expected to resume.

90 percent of Fiji population fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

The Fiji Ministry of Health says 90 percent of the country is now fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

It says as of 17th November 600, 140, or 97.1 percent of the eligible population, had received one dose, with 556,322, or 90 percent, having got two doses.

The Ministry says although these milestones mean the easing of restrictions, Covid-19 is still in Fiji and people must continue to exercise caution.

Fiji eases curfew

Fiji's curfew hours have been moved to midnight until 4am, effective last weekend.

This comes as the country achieved a 90 percent vaccination rate.

The Health Ministry says more than half a million adults are fully vaccinated, with just over 600,000 first dosers.

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama had said in October that once 90 percent of the target population were fully vaccinated, the curfew hours would be moved to midnight from 11pm.

Fiji reopened its international borders on November 11 and will welcome vaccinated tourists on December 1.

Vanuatu Ombudsman found in breach of law

Vanuatu's Court of Appeal has deemed a search warrant granted to the Ombudsman, Hamlison Bulu, illegal.

Mr Bulu had sought a search warrant for the home of the Director General of the Ministry of Finance, Letlet August.

Vanuatu Ombudsman, Hamilson Bulu Photo: RNZ Pacific / Heather Maraki

But the warrant was granted by the Magistrate's Court, not the Supreme Court, as the law requires.

The judges declared the search warrant unlawful and ordered Mr Bulu to pay Mr August $US1533 dollars.