New Caledonia

New Caledonia has launched a health pass for residents as it has begun easing restrictions imposed after last month's Covid-19 outbreak. The pandemic has infected more than 9,000 people and killed more than 200. The pass, which is needed for access to restaurants, museums and other venues, is available in an online version or as a printed document at townhalls.

New Caledonia has detected three cases of Covid-19 in the community and ordered a two-week lockdown from midday Tuesday. The three cases are not connected and involve people who haven't travelled, suggesting the virus is circulating in the community. President Louis Mapou said investigations have been launched immediately to identify contacts and the chain of transmission. One of the cases is an unvaccinated person who had already been in hospital in Noumea.

Over 200 French officials have gone into quarantine in New Caledonia after arriving from France to help supervise next month's independence referendum. The 235 personnel are required to spend two weeks in government-run facilities before they are allowed to be deployed to the 241 polling stations. A further 13 magistrates will be drawn from New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna, which has a quarantine-free air link to Noumea.

New Caledonia's UNI pro-independence party alleges the French state fails to be impartial in the lead-up to the October referendum on independence. Its leader Louis Mapou said with just over a month to go until the vote, the top French administrative court is yet to rule on the use of the French flag in the referendum campaign. Mapou said in a statement that the court had not replied to his side's challenge.

Two New Caledonian airlines have asked for loans guaranteed by the French state to counter the downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The international carrier Aircalin and the domestic airline Air Caledonie reported a drop in passenger numbers of 91 and 40 percent respectively. Aircalin says it wants a $US48 million loan in order to keep operating a reduced schedule while cutting its wage bill by 20 percent.

New Caledonia has detected another Covid-19 case. The French High Commission in Noumea said the individual tested positive at the end of the quarantine in the quarters set aside for the military. It said it compliance with the provisions in New Caledonia, the person has been transferred to the Covid-19 unit at the hospital although he is asymptomatic. A further test is expected to be done today.

New Caledonia begins the second week of competition at the Mini Games with a commanding lead atop the medals table. Les Cagous added six more gold medals to their tally on Saturday to take their total haul to 24. The French territory won a further three gold medals in karate, the women's doubles in table tennis and the men's and women's individual titles in golf.

The downpour again affected the area near Houilaou where last week eight people were killed in mudslides and flooding. People from Gouareu et de Ouakaya, which were the worst hit villages last week, were moved to a boarding school. The rain prompted many schools in the northern half of the main island to close yesterday and will remain closed for days. The government released $US18,000 to the Red Cross to help last week's victims.