Kiribati President calls for patience from public over border closure

Tarawa: The President of Kiribati has called for patience from the public as the government seals its borders as part of its COVID-19 response.

Taneti Maamau said the hotel currently being used as an isolation centre cannot accommodate the huge number of I-Kiribati if they are repatriated from overseas. Mr Maamau said construction of 30 to 40 more rooms at the old General Hospital in Bikenibeu, which will also be used as isolation centre, is almost completed.

President Maamau says government will make final plans for mass repatriation of stranded Kiribati nationals overseas when all isolation centres are ready.