The Cook Island government’s requirement for mandatory Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests for tourists when it fully opens the borders to the outer islands will turn holidaymakers away from the Pa Enua and possibly the Cook Islands, according to industry groups.

With the country’s biggest earner tourism industry desperate for a bumper summer holiday season, there are growing fears hordes of travellers and families will stay away if they have to pay up to $250 each – or $1000 for a family of four – for testing at the hospital or clinics.

Hopes for a bumper summer holiday season in the outer islands and the Cook Islands could be dashed by the government’s mandatory Covid-19 testing regime.

The Pa Enua is requiring a negative PCR test from travellers from Rarotonga 48 hours before they travel along with a Rapid Antigen test.

The Ministry of Health Te Marae Ora (TMO) will supply Rapid Antigen Testing kits for the first lot of testing for the outer islands, with Air Rarotonga required to purchase subsequent supplies.

Covid-19 Health and Safety Officers will also be trained and certified by TMO to administer the test.

Tourism Industry Council president Liana Scott said it made more sense for the government to allow Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) which can be purchased over the counter and is estimated to be $25 each.

Scott said that as a business the idea that tourists and locals would have to pay $250 each per person for the PCR test before travelling domestically is devastating. 

“If I had a business in Atiu or Mangaia I would be quite devastated with that notion,” Scott said.

“I understand that the further out you go the more limited their (outer islands) services are.

“I know we are dealing with a tricky virus but on the flip side, there are consequences and costs.

"Before coming in (to the Cook Islands), you would also have to get a test within 48 hours, so you’re likely to go private and it’s not cheap.

“I wonder whether there is another way of managing the testing regime apart from the government paying for it.”

If a person has Covid-19 symptoms, the PCR and Rapid Antigen Test is not covered by insurance.

Scott said that this was something else that would need to be factored into the cost of travel.

“Insurance is one of the things we brought up with the government as well to look into but since then two private companies have come on board to cover the on island cost of extension of stays.

“I understand it doesn’t cover a medical medivac, so it’s not an expensive policy but it’s at least something that will cover any extended stays and those sorts of things.

Cook Islands News reached out to the Prime Minister about the high expense for travellers and cost of the PCR test and was referred to the Ministry of Health.

“No comment from me on this question, this is a question for the Secretary of Health Bob Williams and Dr May.”

PM Brown also said the government would not subsidise PCR or Rapid Antigen Tests for people who want to travel to the outer islands once the border opens, saying the cost will be borne by the tourist and/or resident and will need to be factored into the cost of travel.

Cook Islands News reached out to the Ministry of Health about why testing was so expensive compared to overseas and whether this would affect tourism across the country but received no response.

Another tourism operator who prefers not to be named said they also agree that tourists overseas might struggle to travel here, given that most have been burnt by border closures and cancellations. 

“A large number of them (people) have had to reschedule their stays, so unless they are coming to visit family, they might just say the Cook Islands and outer islands travel is too hard,” the businessowner said.

Scott said: “The cost of travel and the luxury of travel has changed significantly and it’s become really hard.

“If the government subsidises most medication then I would hope that they would help and not hinder people’s ability to get some tests done and be safe.

“It would be a shame that the revenue stream is going to be reduced because people are conscious about saving money.

“The requirement for double vaccination and the countries high vaccination rate should give us sufficient protection to remain safe.”

The country’s border will re-open on Thursday, January 13 when the Cook Islands is likely to hit the 98 per cent double vaccination rate with 12,558 people already double jabbed.