Palau is settling into a new normal, and seeing a return of tourists, after it says it achieved herd immunity against Covid-19 among its adult population.
Photo: pikist
Health authorities in the country say over 80 percent of the eligible population has been given both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, while the vaccination rollout for adolescents is well underway.
Palau began its vaccination drive in January, aiming for 13,300 adults but had exceeded that target with 14,300 adults now fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Vaccination of adolescents aged 12-17 years old is now well under way with at least 65 percent having had at least one dose of the vaccine.
The ministry of health's liason for the mass vaccination campaign Gaafar Uherbelau says Palauns have been very receptive to getting vaccinated.
"In terms of vaccine hesitancy we haven't had too many challenges. Unlike our neighbours in the northern Pacific, we've been able to pretty much roll out our vaccination campaign without any issues in terms of people wanting to come in for the vaccine."
Palau has been using various Covid-19 vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson / Jansen.
The Ministry of Health's liason for the mass vaccination campaign, Gaafar Uherbelau, said there had been a steady increase in both arrivals and departures since the easing of travel restrictions towards the end of June.
US Health officials administer the Johnson & Johson vaccine in Kayangel State Photo: Task Force Oceania Public Affairs - SGT Navarro/ US Embassy
Uherbelau said prior to June travellers were required to first undergo 14 days of quarantine and testing in Guam before flying to Palau, and then an additional 14 days on arrival.
Now they only need to show proof of vaccination and a return a negative test result for Covid-19 three days before their travel date.
"Since then I think we have seen more travellers coming in," he explained.
"We do have a lot of US military personnel that are also coming in and out for training and exercises. So the same requirements apply to them as well with the full vaccination status and negative PCR test. But we have definitely seen an increase in commercial airline travellers coming in."