President Simina signs into law Public Law No. 23-15, to Remove the COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate for all Persons Entering the FSM

Palikir, Pohnpei (July 29, 2023) — As its title suggests, this act removes the COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate that prevailed during the COVID-19 pandemic by virtue of Public Law No. 22-134. This amendment lifts the COVID-19 vaccine as a mandatory requirement for travelers entering into the FSM. The lifting of the vaccination mandate applies to everyone, whether FSM citizens, nationals, non-citizens, nonresident workers, diplomats, crew of vessels or aircraft, and contractual personnel of foreign governments and international organizations.   While the COVID-19 vaccination mandate has been lifted, the amendment also gives authority to the Secretary of the Department of Health to issue regulations to require a COVID-19 vaccination for the purpose of entry into the FSM. But the amendment does not automatically impose this vaccination requirement; it is up to the authority of the Secretary of Health to issue regulations requiring vaccination for travel purposes, if such requirement is considered necessary.   This amendment is now in effect. International carriers and travelers are bound to adhere to this recently passed public law.