Honourable President Taneti Maamau declared Kiribati in a state of public emergency on Thursday 26 March 2020.
President Maamau confirmed that Kiribati was declared among other Pacific Islands to be in a state of emergency of COVID-19. He expressed that the alarming number of people infected with the pandemic around the world puts Kiribati in a very vulnerable state.
Kiribati is currently on Level 2 alert after a passenger displayed mild symptoms of the COVID-19 flu a week ago. The individual is currently self-isolating at his family home.
In his address, President Maamau strongly advised that the public observe all COVID-19 control measures announced by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS). These include minimizing public gatherings, maintaining the recommended 2 meters social distancing practice and a 20 seconds hand-wash after touching anything.