Tuvaluans eagerly await for borders to open
Tuvaluans living in Fiji turned up in numbers and in their traditional attire to celebrate their nation’s 43rd Independence anniversary at Tuvalu House in Suva on Friday.
While addressing the Tuvaluan diaspora in Fiji including those stranded because of international border lockdown, Tuvaluan High Commissioner to Fiji Temate Melitiana assured a safe repatriation flight once the borders open.
“Just as Fiji, Tuvalu is also targeting 80 per cent of their total population of 18 years and above to be fully vaccinated by the end of October this year”, Mr Melitiana said.
While conveying their Prime Minister’s independence message the High Commissioner explain the full vaccination
requirements for stranded Tuvaluans before the borders open.
“The High Commission was taking care of the food requirements of those who are stranded here as they came in before the pandemic for studies or medical reasons and could not return when the borders closed,” Mr Melitiana said.
Tuvalu is currently COVIDfree and Mr Melitiana has acknowledged the efforts of the
Fijian Government in the war against the second wave of COVID-19.
“We are working together with Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services to safeguard one thousand five hundred
plus Tuvaluans living in Fiji”, added Mr. Melitiana.
The theme of this year’s Independence Day is Unity in Word and Deed.
Thirteen year-old Esther Temate of Nukufetau, Tuvalu cannot wait for borders to open as she wants return to the Island and meet with her grandparents for the first time.