Letters for Friday September 17, 2021

Dear Editor,

Government’s plan to ensure that all passengers and crew from New Zealand are fully vaccinated and includes children 12 years and older, is the most effective and safe option to protect us all in the Cook Islands.

TMO (Te Marae Ora) and Cabinet is certainly wiser in its deliberation. We saw how one returning traveler from Sydney infected and literally paralysed a nation and how the social and economic devastation of the New Zealand economy is slowly unravelling, more so in Auckland. Luckily, we dodged a crisis when none of the tourists who came here last month was an infected carrier.

We do not want the deadly virus to enter our shores, as we will face grave consequences. Strong preventative safeguards are the best measures for community protection. Once these health precautionary safeguards are fully complied with, then border free travel between New Zealand the Cook Islands may resume. In the meantime, let’s stay Covid free in a world of turmoil. Akamaroiroi tatou katoatoa no te Ipukarea.

Terea Mataiapo

Paul Raui Pokoati Allsworth