One year into it...
It has been over one year now since the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) closed its borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over one year into a pandemic and FSM has yet to feel the bite of the COVID-19 virus. We are truly blessed!! There have been persons under investigation, especially after the border closed, but no positive cases, no community transmission, no deaths as a result of the COVID-19, yet. And while the borders are closed, there have been Human Remains (HR) repatriated, unaccompanied, for burial in the FSM.
Successful repatriations already, by sea
While the borders remain closed, there have been two successful repatriations from COVID-19 infected countries. Both repatriations were by ship, both were successful. Although one ship the MS Chief Mailo, did have a positive COVID-19 case onboard, that case never stepped onto FSM soil, and further testing revealed the positive case recovered and tested negative.
Where are we now?
As it stands, the FSM remains COVID-19 free. A press release from the Office of the President has announced that May 13, 2021, will be the date for repatriations from the U.S. colony of Guam. The US Government has graciously offered aircraft and funding for two flights to bring in the stranded medical referral patients who were returning from the Philippines and students, along with Diplomats assigned to resident Embassies.
In the meantime, in Pohnpei, a quarantine facility stands ready to receive repatriated residents. Immunizations are being administered to the outer municipalities. Both the National and State Governments are working to not only bring in the first batch but also subsequent repatriations from Hawaii and beyond.
While repatriations are on standby, Micronesians continue to leave the islands. Even in a pandemic, the Micronesian diaspora continues. Many Micronesians have reported being infected and recovered, and a small amount of Micronesians have died as a result of COVID-19. The numbers are not known at this time.
Both the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau have conducted safe repatriations. Palau has even opened up a travel bubble with Taiwan, allowing tourists from Taiwan to visit Palau. Anything is possible!
The next step is successful repatriation, we can do it!
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