On September 8, 2022, the RMI decided to reopen their borders. The Office of Commerce, Investment, and Tourism (OCIT)-Tourism Unit welcomed the incoming passengers with leis and music performed by the new local artists in town, the sixteen strings. There were a total of 29 incoming passengers, most of whom were returning residents. They are happy to be back home, enjoying a warm Pacific greeting from OCIT and sixteen strings. Incoming passengers will book tickets through United Airlines rather than register with the National Disaster Committee (NDC), but vaccination cards are still required. As for domestic travel in the RMI, it is still restricted, only servicing the neighboring islands that have been affected by the pandemic.
For the seven (7) other neighboring islands that haven’t been affected by the pandemic, the RMI Ministry of Health and Human Service (MoHHS) personnel have set up testing and vaccination sites at their respective atolls. However, once they are affected by the pandemic, the testing and vaccination sites will no longer be in operation.
With the pandemic in the RMI, the general public has been socially responsible. They have been urged to wear masks, sanitize their hands, disinfect surfaces, and keep a social distance. Today, wearing masks has started to become the new norm for the RMI.