FSM Information Services
Press Release
FSM National Government Instructs International Air Carriers to Check Outbound Travelers for Documentation Supporting Exemption from the Travel Ban
PALIKIR, Pohnpei—In a April 11th, 2020, letter to international air carriers, the Honorable Carlson D. Apis, Secretary of the Department of Transportation, Communication, & Infrastructure, described the important role of “all international air carriers in implementing [the travel restrictions instated by His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)]…[to ensure] that the FSM remains COVID-19 free.” Secretary Apis instructed all international air carriers servicing the FSM to abide by both the incoming and outgoing travel restrictions, as all FSM citizens are banned from travel to COVID-19 affected jurisdictions until further notice and until such a time that a determination is made that the COVID-19 Pandemic is effectively contained.
“All international air carriers are instructed to abide by this travel restriction,” Secretary Apis wrote. “[Please] inform your [outbound] passengers as expeditiously as possible to be prepared to provide supporting documentation for exemption from the [outbound] travel ban.”
Examples of supporting documentation may include evidence of residency abroad (such as a driver’s license), evidence of returning to a place of employment (such as a letter from one’s employer, or documentation certifying one’s employment at a given business).
“The documentation may be required for presentation at the border during check-in and screening procedures,” Secretary Apis wrote.
For April 13th and April 14th, FSM citizens are prohibited from departing to COVID-19 affected jurisdictions unless they meet the exemption requirements, such as returning to a place of employment or a medical necessity.
After these April 13th and April 14th, the only FSM citizens who will be allowed outbound travel to COVID-19 affected jurisdictions are individuals who have a doctor-certified note that they require specialized healthcare that can only be received abroad.
As of April 13th, 2020, the FSM remains free of any confirmed cases of COVID-19. No individual presently outside of the Nation’s borders is allowed entry until further notice, and until such a time that a determination is made that the COVID-19 Pandemic is effectively contained.
