KPress Vol. 20 Iss. 08
Jaynes, Bill (2020-04-08). KPress Vol. 20 Iss. 08 (PDF) (Report). Kolonia, Pohnpei: Kaselehlie Press.
- Has attachment: File:NHDZUCU3.pdf
Abstract: KPress Vol. 20 Iss. 08: NEWS: President David Panuelo issues a national decree amending commercial fishing and transshipment rules during the COVID-19 state of emergency, temporarily restricting transshipment activity, prohibiting public access to fishing vessels, banning barter or local sale of fish from commercial vessels, and outlining criminal penalties under Title 11 for violations; detailed continuation specifies NORMA-administered at-sea transshipment requirements, electronic immigration and customs clearance, 72-hour advance notice obligations, crew temperature reporting, and differentiated rules for longline, purse seine, and FSM-flagged vessels; binding international arbitration orders the FSM National Government to pay approximately $9.5 million to Pacific International, Inc. following termination of the Chuuk road construction contract, with arbitrators finding termination for convenience rather than default and awarding principal plus accrued interest; representatives of the Pohnpei Japan Club, joined by Ambassador Sobashima Hidenobu, donate funds to FSM health authorities in support of COVID-19 preparedness, while Japan signals broader multilateral financial support through international organizations; Pohnpei State swears in Onlino Lawrence as Executive Director of the Housing Authority under COVID-19 public gathering restrictions, with Governor Reed Oliver directing assessment of statewide housing needs; FSM Information Services reiterates outbound travel prohibitions for FSM citizens, clarifies Guam quarantine requirements, and summarizes emergency declarations restricting movement; the U.S. Department of the Interior releases Compact funds to strengthen quarantine and hospital infrastructure in Chuuk State, with statements from Assistant Secretary Douglas Domenech, JEMCO leadership, and U.S. Ambassador Carmen Cantor; FSM and Yap State leadership coordinate COVID-19 response measures, including suspension of passenger disembarkation, cargo exemptions, and installation of teleconferencing equipment for inter-state coordination; Pohnpei State officials meet with banks, credit unions, and the Social Security Administration to outline loan deferments, benefit distribution procedures, and elderly protections; Japanese government grant ceremonies advance recycling infrastructure in Pohnpei and school safety improvements in Yap, while Micronesia Conservation Trust receives funding for environmental sanitation projects; Forum Fisheries Agency Operation Rai Balang 20 conducts region-wide maritime surveillance involving FSM patrol vessels and international partners, alongside ongoing search-and-rescue activity; the World Bank approves a $30.8 million grant to expand nationwide digital connectivity and regulatory reform in FSM; OPINION / EDITORIAL: Managing Editor Bill Jaynes reflects on the cancellation of FSM and Pohnpei Cultural Day amid COVID-19, urging compliance with health guidance and social responsibility, while PRC Ambassador Huang Zheng contributes a signed opinion advocating international solidarity and China–FSM cooperation in combating the pandemic; additional commentary and releases address ADB COVID-19 emergency grants, U.S. and Australian assistance to Pacific pandemic response, U.S. Navy and Seabee construction support in FSM, and regional public health coordination initiatives.
