On  March 11, 2020, the FSM Congress passed Resolution No. 21-129, removing the travel restrictions imposed on January 31, 2020 by FSM President Panuelo on visitors and citizens coming from countries and territories with reported cases of the global pandemic known as coronavirus (Covid-19). This decision by the FSM Congress to restrict travels ONLY to and from the Hubei Province in China is misinformed in light of ongoing reports of confirmed cases of coronavirus infected countries including cases in the United States as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). The global map shows confirmed cases of coronavirus from the WHO and CDC as of March 11, 2020.

The United States and other developed countries with far superior healthcare systems and available coronavirus test and treatment than the FSM have imposed travel bans. Universities have also banned domestic and international travels of their students and personnel to prevent the coronavirus infections.

The coronavirus is dynamic and ever changing based on available scientific and medical knowledge. We feel that this resolution by the FSM Congress poses a national security to the citizens of the FSM. 

We believe that President Panueloʻs Public Health Emergency Declaration on January 31, 2020 restricting travelers from ALL countries and territories with confirmed cases of the coronavirus was a good policy. Our country is simply not ready to deal with the coronavirus, but we can impose preventative measures such as travel bans.

Thanks to FSM Attorney Marstella Jack who drafted the official resolution below as part of this movement. Printed copies of this official petition are circulated around the FSM for people who have no access to the internet to sign. You can sign this online version or the printed copy. All signers will be presented to the FSM leaders.

PETITION TO FSM CONGRESS TO REINSTATE THE TRAVEL BAN 

WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020 the FSM President issued a Public Health Emergency Declaration on the COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the Public Health Emergency Declaration instituted a travel ban for all incoming passengers requiring an incubation period of 14 days in a jurisdiction free of the COVID-19 outbreak prior to entry in any FSM port; and

WHEREAS, it is noted with grave concern the speed and gravity at which the COVID-19 outbreak has permeated throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, on 11 March 2020, the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia, through Congressional Resolution No. 21-129, lifted the travel ban allowing all incoming passengers entry into any FSM port; and

WHEREAS in the same resolution it noted that the WHO guidelines only advised against the application of trade or travel restrictions for countries experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks; and

WHEREAS, at the time of this writing, there is still no reported cases of COVID-19 outbreak in the FSM; and

NOW THEREFORE, the undersigned, as concerned citizens and residents of the Federated States of Micronesia, strongly call upon the members of the 21st FSM Congress to immediately recall Resolution No. 21-129 and reinstate the prior travel ban to continue until such time that the President’s Task Force on COVID19 has advised that it is no longer necessary; And

FURTHER, a copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the FSM President, the FSM Chief Justice, all the state Governors, the presiding speakers of the state legislatures, the Chief Justices of the state courts, all the municipal governments in FSM, and Council of Pilung and the Council of Tamil, the Mwoalen Wahu of Pohnpei State; the traditional chiefs of Chuuk State and any advisory councils in Kosrae State; civil society organizations throughout the FSM; church leaders; faith based organizations, youth organizations, the disability groups, women’s councils in all the states; senior citizen organizations and our FSM citizens residing outside of FSM.