More than 30 federal and military personnel will be overnighting in the territory next week on their way to a mission in Antartica.
The Department of Health is coordinating COVID-19 requirements with the group who’s traveling from New York, California, Hawaii, stop over in American Samoa, then to New Zealand and onto the Antartica.
There are 31 members in the group.
Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua says the group will spend the night at the quarantine center in Tafuna.
Chairman of the Coronavirus Task Force Iulogologo Joseph Pereira says the team is on its way to transport provisions for the US base at the Antartica.
According to Wikipedia McMurdo Station is a United States Antarctic research station on the south tip of Ross Island, which is in the New Zealand–claimed Ross Dependency on the shore of McMurdo Sound in Antarctica.
It is operated by the United States through the United States Antarctic Program, a branch of the National Science Foundation.
The station is the largest community in Antarctica, capable of supporting up to 1,258 residents,and serves as one of three year-round United States Antarctic science facilities. All personnel and cargo going to or coming from Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station first pass through McMurdo.
Iulogologo says the traveling group is “working with DOH on the protocols to guide their overnight stay here.”
He added the team has pledged full compliance with all of the required health protocols issued by DOH.
Photo: McMurdo Station
