The President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia on Thursday 16 May. This state of emergency strengthens the power of the authorities and restricts certain public freedoms. The state of emergency came into force in New Caledonia at 5am on Thursday 16 May. The decision was taken by French President Emmanuel Macron at the end of a national defence council held in Paris on Wednesday evening. The state of emergency authorises the government to take a number of measures: – banning demonstrations, processions, parades and gatherings of people on the public highway;- banning certain public meetings or closing public places and places of worship;- setting up protective perimeters to ensure the security of a place or event;- administrative searches;- requisitioning private individuals or resources;- blocking websites advocating terrorist acts or making apologies for them; (Tik tok has been banned)- residence bans;- house arrest. This special regime is temporary.