COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Réunion (15 July Update)

*Can a citizen and resident enter the country? *

• Yes

• Citizens and residents can enter Réunion.

*Can a foreigner enter the country? *

• No with exceptions

• Air travel from or to Reunion Island is prohibited unless there is a compelling reason. Arriving and departing travellers will need to provide documentary evidence of the compelling reason for travel and why the travel cannot be deferred. Reasons may include family or personal reasons, medical emergencies, or essential professional reasons. Fully vaccinated travellers are exempt from the requirement to provide proof of a compelling reason to travel to Reunion.

*Is a test required on arrival? *

• No

• Screening measures are in place at all the entry ports including airports. A COVID-19 test on arrival is not required.

*Test certificate required? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Arriving travellers must present a certificate indicating a negative result on a COVID-19 PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to arrival or an antigen test performed within 48 hours prior to arrival in Reunion.

• Travellers under the age of 11 are exempt from this requirement. The pre-boarding test is also compulsory for unaccompanied minors, vaccinated or not, aged 11 and above.

• Fully vaccinated travellers must additionally present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate upon arrival. This certificate can be presented via the TousAntiCovid application. More details on conditions to be met to be classified as a “fully vaccinated” traveller can be found here.

*Is quarantine required on arrival? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Vaccinated travellers arriving from mainland France or Mayotte are not required to enter quarantine on arrival. Unvaccinated travellers will be required to self-isolate for 7 days, and undergo an RT-PCR test at the end of quarantine.

• Travellers from other regions (vaccinated or otherwise) are required to self-isolate for 7 days on arrival in Reunion and undertake another RT-PCR test at the end of the self-isolation period.

• Travellers exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms when entering Réunion must enter quarantine.

• Based on the above restrictions, arriving travellers will either be exempted from quarantine or required to spend at least 7 days in self-quarantine depending on their vaccination status and travel history.

Is a vaccination required?

• No with exceptions

• Possession of a vaccination certificate is not mandatory for arriving travellers. However, fully vaccinated travellers will be allowed to travel to Reunion without the requirement to provide proof of a compelling reason for travel.

• Fully vaccinated travellers must present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate upon arrival. This certificate can be presented via the TousAntiCovid application.

• The vaccines accepted in Reunion are only those recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA): Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. Specific conditions (such as a completed vaccinated schedule) must be met to be classified as a “fully vaccinated” traveller. A vaccination schedule is said to be complete:

• 14 days after the 2nd injection for double injection vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca).

• 28 days after injection for vaccines with a single injection (Janssen).

• 14 days after injection for vaccines in people who had COVID-19 before vaccination (1 single injection).

• 15 days after a COVID infection that occurred more than 15 days after the first dose of double injection vaccine.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• A declaration must be made by all incoming passengers stating that they do not have symptoms for COVID-19 and that to their knowledge, they have not been in contact with any person confirmed positive within the last 14 days. This form can be found on this page. Airlines can refuse boarding to travellers who do not have this form.

• All travellers (except travellers under age 11 and vaccinated persons) must complete an International Travel Certificate and present it when boarding, upon arrival, and when transiting. Travellers must also complete a declaration of honour to state they do not have COVID-19 symptoms. They must complete a contact tracing form.The forms can be found here: a) Travel Certificate; b) Sworn Statement form; and c) Contact Tracing Assistance form.

• Travellers will also have to present documentary evidence indicating their compelling reason for travel. More details can be accessed here.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• The use of the application, TousAntiCovid, is strongly recommended.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• Very limited flight services to and from Reunion are available.

• Airlines may refuse to board passengers failing to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within 72 hours or an antigen test certificate issued within 48 hours prior to arrival in Reunion and a sworn statement declaring that the traveller has not been in contact with any COVID 19-infected patient in the past 14 days.

Border restrictions

• Significant

• All seaports are closed to passenger boats, yachts and ships.

• Cruise ships are not allowed to dock at ports.

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• Travellers who need to travel during curfew hours can get permanent and temporary travel certificates through this link.

• A state of health emergency due to COVID-19 is in effect until further notice. This entails the enforcement of health protocols to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• Public gatherings of more than six people remain banned.

• Social distancing measures are mandatory.

• From 21 July, a health passport will be needed for all people attending an event in any cultural and leisure venue. The health passport will indicate that the owner is fully vaccinated, has recovered from COVID-19 within the last six months, or has tested negative for COVID-19 in the last 48 hours.

• From the beginning of August, the health passport will be needed to enter bars and restaurants.

• A vaccination schedule is said to be complete (1) 2 weeks after the 2nd injection for double injection vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca), or (2) 4 weeks after injection for vaccines with a single injection (Johnson & Johnson from Janssen), or (3) 2 weeks after the injection for vaccines in people who have had a history of COVID (1 single injection).

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Citizens are allowed to undertake domestic travel.

• Public transport is also operating.

*Non-essential shops open? *

• Yes

• All non-essential shops are allowed to re-open with capacity restrictions and adherence to COVID-19 protocols.

*Restaurants open? *

• Yes

• Restaurants are allowed to operate at a reduced capacity. From the beginning of August, a health passport will be required to enter restaurants.

*Bars and cafes open? *

• Yes

• Bars are allowed to operate at a reduced capacity. From the beginning of August, a health passport will be required to enter bars and cafes.

• Nightclubs remain closed.

*Beaches and tourism sites open? *

• Yes

• Beaches are accessible to the public subject to occupancy limits and adherence to health protocols.

*Museums and heritage sites open? *

• Yes

• Museums and galleries are allowed to open subject to enforcing capacity restrictions.

*Places of worship open? *

• Yes

• Places of worship are open.

*Events allowed? *

• Yes

• People attending wedding and funeral ceremonies are required to abide by COVID-19 health protocols.

• From 21 July, all attendees must have health passports to attend events at any cultural or leisure venue.

• Outdoor sports are allowed with reduced capacity.

*Masks required in public? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Wearing a face mask is not mandatory outdoors, except in crowded areas. The use of masks is mandatory indoors, on buses, or in any other public place.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.