KPress Vol. 20 Iss. 05
Jaynes, Bill (2020-02-24). KPress Vol. 20 Iss. 05 (PDF) (Report). Kolonia, Pohnpei: Kaselehlie Press.
- Has attachment: File:XIQIXPVS.pdf
Abstract: KPress Vol. 20 Iss. 05: NEWS: FSM President David Panuelo imposes and then reaffirms strict COVID-19 travel restrictions, including an outright ban on travel from mainland China and a 14-day quarantine requirement, following FSM Congress hearings and testimony from a World Health Organization representative clarifying that travel bans can buy preparation time rather than serve as a standalone prevention measure; FSM Congress holds a public hearing and passes a resolution extending the national Emergency Health Declaration and conditionally modifying quarantine rules, followed by executive reinstatement of quarantine requirements due to enforcement gaps and limited state capacity; FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs Secretary Livingston Taulang formally communicates FSM justifications for travel restrictions to WHO, while national officials describe accelerated infection-control training, identification of quarantine sites across all four states, and construction of temporary quarantine facilities near Pohnpei International Airport with U.S. Navy Seabee assistance; Pohnpei prosecutors file multiple felony charges against four Madolenihmw municipal officials—Mayor Meninkeder Lapalapen, Pretrick Ringlen, Meioleen Etse, Sohnasem George, and Hemet Ringlen—following a Public Auditor investigation alleging long-term misuse of salary advances and public funds; Pohnpei State Government and the College of Micronesia-FSM sign a memorandum of understanding establishing joint responsibility for education, training, and capacity building for management of the Nan Madol World Heritage Site, with funding support and program development responsibilities specified; Japan’s Ambassador Sobashima hosts Japan National Day celebrations in Pohnpei, highlighting bilateral cooperation, recent Japanese development grants to FSM states, and shared COVID-19 prevention concerns, with remarks from President Panuelo emphasizing diplomatic ties and public health vigilance; FSM President and Vice President receive outgoing Australian Ambassador George Fraser for a farewell courtesy call addressing agricultural development, private-sector growth, COVID-19 economic impacts, Australian scholarships, wildfire assistance, and the pending Foreign Investment Bill; FSM national leadership convenes the Chief Executives Conference with all four state governors to discuss Blue Prosperity Coalition engagement, foreign investment reform, Chinese development assistance agreements, Compact review negotiations, tax reform, and overseas development assistance coordination; FSM Telecommunications Corporation and the Department of Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure host an Emergency Telecommunications Cluster workshop with the UN World Food Program, resulting in adoption of cluster terms of reference and a 2020 action plan for disaster communications; Micronesia Registration Advisors announce a $27,500 upgrade to Pohnpei International Airport’s passenger lobby; Micronesia Conservation Trust reports on JoLynne Gallen Mori’s completion of an MBA and ongoing grant management work; Republic of the Marshall Islands contributes an additional $25,000 to the Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge Scholarship Fund; community coverage includes a proposal by a U.S. retiree to establish a permaculture demonstration site in Pohnpei and the College of Micronesia-FSM Educational Talent Search Program’s Pohnpei State Spelling Bee results identifying state and school champions.
