To view the full COVID-19 (Public Health Measures) Regulation documents signed Order in Executive Council by Sir Tom J. Marsters, KBE (Queens Representative) click below.

• COVID-19 (Public Health Measures) Regulations 2022 - 01 May 2022
• COVID-19 (Border Entry Requirement) Regulations 2022 - 01 May 2022
• COVID-19 (Public Health Measures) Regulations 2021 - 23 January 2021
• COVID-19 (Public Health Measures) Amendment Regulations 2022 - 12 January 2022
• COVID-19 (Public Health Measures) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2022 - 25 January 2022

Response to a COVID-19 Positive Case: Cook Islands Resident

It is important that the public are actively aware of the steps that are in place to reduce the transmission of the virus. Staying home if you feel unwell is the best way to stop the virus from spreading.

Here are the protocols for all Cook Islands Residents which include:

• Cook Islanders
• Permanent Residents
• Permit Holders

If you feel unwell and present with COVID-19 symptoms you must:

1. Visit any of the Public Health Clinics or testing stations and request a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT).

NEGATIVE RAPID ANTIGEN TEST (RAT) RETURNED

• If the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) result is negative, you can go about your day as normal.
• It is important that you continue to monitor your own symptoms and call the TMO COVID-19 Healthline if symptoms persist or worsen.

POSITIVE RAPID ANTIGEN TEST (RAT) RETURNED

• If the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) returns positive, the COVID-19 Health and Safety Officer will advise further instructions.
• You will be issued an Isolation Order by the Health Officer. This order will outline all requirements relating to your isolation.

You will be issued an isolation pack. The isolation pack will include:

1. Welfare Pack information pamphlet
2. Red flag
3. Face masks
4. Isolation booklet

HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS

Those who live with you will be required to:

1. Self-quarantine
2. Conduct a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)
3. Household contacts will be issued a Category Quarantine Order
4. This order outlines all conditions of your close contact’s self-quarantine

COVID-19 POSITIVE – MILD CONDITION

Those with mild conditions will:

1. Remain isolated at home.
2. Be clinically managed and cared for by the Public Health Nurses in their respective puna’s.
3. Your home will be identified by a red flag to indicate that it is under supervision.

COVID-19 POSITIVE – MODERATE CONDITION

If a person meets the clinical definition of a moderate case the person will be moved to the dedicated isolation facility for further clinical management and care.

COVID-19 POSITIVE – SEVERE CONDITION

If a person meets the clinical definition of a severe case the person will be moved to the Rarotonga Hospital for treatment and care.

YOUR COMMITMENT

It is important that we all understand what we need to do when we contract COVID-19. Your cooperation with your Public Health Clinic will be greatly appreciated. Please follow all advice to ensure your own health and wellness during these times.

Response to a COVID-19 Positive Case: Visitor (Tourist)

It is important that all visitors are actively aware of the steps that are in place to reduce the transmission of the virus. Staying at your accommodation if you feel unwell is the best way to stop the virus from spreading.

PROTOCOL FOR VISITORS

If a visitor who has recently arrived in the Cook islands feels unwell and presents with COVID-19 symptoms they MUST:

1. Self-quarantine in their room immediately.
2. Request for a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) from their accommodator (costs may apply).
3. The designated COVID-19 Health and Safety Officer for your accommodation will supervise how to use the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT).

NEGATIVE RAPID ANTIGEN TEST (RAT) RETURNED

• If the RAT test result is negative, the visitor can go about their holiday as normal or rest.
• It is important that the visitor continues to monitor their symptoms and inform their accommodator or COVID-19 Health and Safety Officer if symptoms persist or worsen.

POSITIVE RAPID ANTIGEN TEST (RAT) RETURNED

• If the test result returns positive, the designated COVID-19 Health and Safety Officer for the accommodation will notify the nearest Public Health Clinic who will provide further instructions.
• The visitor must remain in their room until they receive further instructions from their COVID-19 Health and Safety Officer.

Visitors will be issued an isolation pack. The isolation pack will include:

1. Welfare Pack information pamphlet
2. Red flag
3. Face masks
4. Isolation booklet

YOUR COMMITMENT

• It is important the we all understand what we need to do when we contract COVID-19.
• It is also important that all accommodators have the necessary protocols in place to care for the guests.
• Please follow all advice to ensure your own health and wellness during these times.

Face Coverings / Face Masks

Face coverings must be worn on the following islands:

• Aitutaki
• Atiu
• Manihiki
• Rakahanga
• Penrhyn
• Mauke
• Mitiaro

Face coverings are not required to be worn on the island of Rarotonga unless:

It is at the discretion of the business/organization, or;

the person is at a health facility. Health facility means:

• a Government-operated health clinic
• a hospital
• a medical practitioner's clinic

To apply for a exemptions email [email protected]

Evidence of Vaccination to Enter Premises

Businesses and Services may require evidence of vaccination to enter their premises.

Evidence of vaccination accepted within the Cook Islands include:

• A vaccine card or electronic pass issued by Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health that has not expired
• A vaccine certificate issued by Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health that has not expired
• A My Vaccine Pass issued by the New Zealand Government that has not expired

COVID-19 Health and Safety Officer

A business or service (including a Government department or Agency) with 2 or more employees must appoint a COVID-19 Health and Safety Officer. The business or service must provide the name and contact details of the COVID-19 Health and Safety Officer to the Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health may:

• Liaise with the COVID-19 Health and Safety Officer about matters relating to the application of these regulations to the business or service
• Require the COVID-19 Health and Safety Officer to be released from duties at work (without deduction to their pay) to undergo training relating to managing and preventing the spread of COVID-19, including training in how to administer supervised rapid antigen tests.

In order to protect our Pa Enua (Outer Islands), travel to these Islands has been categorized by 2 bubbles:

1. Bubble 1: Rarotonga & Aitutaki
2. Bubble 2: Rarotonga & other Pa Enua (except Aitutaki)

Click below to view Pa Enua (Outer Island) Travel Requirements

Travel to Pa Enua (Outer Islands)

Providing False Information

A person must not provide false or misleading information or any document that does not belong to them.

A person must not:

• Provide false or misleading contact tracing information required for a contact record under these regulations
• Provide as evidence of vaccination a vaccine pass or certificate issued to another person
• Provide as evidence of a medical exemption, a medical exemption granted to another person
• Provide any document required under these regulations that has not been issued in accordance with these regulations or has been changed or tampered with in any way

Enforcement

A Constable or Health Officer may take any action (including entry into premises) to ensure that these regulations are being complied with.

View the COVID-19 Act 2020