FSM Information Services
Press Release
President Panuelo Grants Governor Elimo’s Request to Extend Chuuk’s Travel Restrictions to April 17; Air Travel from Palau to Yap Still Possible
PALIKIR, Pohnpei—On March 27th, 2020, His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), received a letter from the Honorable Johnson S. Elimo, Governor of the FSM State of Chuuk, inclusive of an amended Declaration of Emergency, requesting the President’s permission to extend the travel ban to Chuuk State from COVID-19 affected countries, states, and territories until April 17th. The purpose for the request was so that Chuuk State can increase its capacity to handle the threat of COVID-19. President Panuelo has granted the Governor’s request to extend Chuuk State’s travel restrictions; there is to be no disembarkation of aircraft passengers from COVID-19 affected countries, states, or territories into Chuuk until April 17th.
“The people of Chuuk and the people of the FSM are one and the same,” President Panuelo said in a statement. “I respect the Governor’s request to fulfill his mandate to nurture, serve, and protect the people of Chuuk, and hereby instruct all National Government agencies and institutions to ensure Chuuk’s request is appropriately executed in full.”
The only air traffic passengers eligible for disembarkation into the FSM at this time are passengers originating from the Republic of Palau, so long as it remains COVID-19 free, such as those travelers flying on Caroline Islands Air or Pacific Mission Aviation with routes to and from Yap and Palau.
President Panuelo, as Head of State and Head of the FSM Government, is implementing extraordinary measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the exercise of the Emergency Powers vested upon him in the FSM National Constitution. This power is full and complete, which allows him, during this most difficult and trying time of our national history, to effectively deal with the pandemic in the most efficient, systematic and collaborative manner throughout the Nation.
As of March 28th, 2020, the FSM remains COVID-19 free. All previous Persons Under Investigation throughout the Nation have been tested and have found to be free of the COVID-19 virus.