Coronavirus

LDS missionaries return to US

LDS missionaries return to US

GIFF JOHNSON  A large group of missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) departed the Marshall Islands and Kiribati Saturday on a specially chartered Fiji Airways aircraft — a response to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world. Approximately 50 LDS missionaries boarded the flight in Majuro, which followed a similar number […]

Coronavirus sparks travel ban

Coronavirus sparks travel ban

GIFF JOHNSON The Marshall Islands on February 7 issued an indefinite ban on all international travel by government employees and elected leaders to reduce risk of importing the coronavirus now affecting tens of thousands of people in more than two dozen countries and territories. Marshall Islands President David Kabua signed a proclamation late Friday night […]

Vessels violate virus entry restrictions

Vessels violate virus entry restrictions

The Ministry of Health called for cooperation among port-related staff after two inbound vessels, with the aid of Ports Authority officials, violated established screening procedures for measles and coronavirus. In a memo Monday, Health Secretary Jack Niedenthal reminded Ministry of T&C, Ports Authority, RMI shipping agents and pilots who captain vessels into port that “we […]

RMI bans direct travel from China

RMI bans direct travel from China

GIFF JOHNSON In the wake of mounting global concern about the coronavirus that has caused the deaths of over 100 people, the Marshall Islands issued a travel advisory January 24 banning travelers coming directly from the People’s Republic of China, where the virus originated. “Any traveler with travel originating from or transiting through the PRC […]