FSM Information Services Press Release
After Briefing by FSM COVID-19 Task Force Regarding Kwajalein’s COVID-19 Cases, President Panuelo Temporarily Delays Repatriation from Majuro
PALIKIR, Pohnpei—On October 29th, 2020, His Excellency David W. Panuelo—President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)—determined that it was in the Nation’s best interests that the planned October 30th, 2020 repatriation effort of FSM citizens stranded in the Republic of the Marshall Islands be delayed.
The decision was influenced by several factors, including that on October 28th, 2020, the Republic of the Marshall Islands received two positive cases of COVID-19 on Kwajalein Atoll; that, of the 23 citizens intended for repatriation, less than half had completed COVID-19 testing by October 29th; that unfortunately, legal contractual agreements between Pohnpei State and its designated quarantine facility have not been finalized; and that several crucial questions were not able to be answered due to gaps in the Government’s knowledge and data.
While the FSM National Government is not cancelling or stopping its overall repatriation effort from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the original October 30th, 2020 repatriation flight will not occur as planned. The FSM National Government remains committed to implementing all efforts to repatriate its citizens under the safest and most effective procedures necessary to protect the health and safety of its citizens abroad, as well as its citizens and residents currently residing in the FSM.