Pitcairn

The islands of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno (commonly known as Pitcairn) make up a single territory, the last remaining United Kingdom Overseas Territory in the Pacific Ocean. During the period under review, two key events shaped the territory. First, there was the threat posed by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (covid-19) pandemic. Pitcairn’s isolation was an advantage in minimizing its exposure, but this did not reduce the Islanders’ concerns. If covid-19 had entered Pitcairn, it would have posed an immediate existential threat to a small and aging population with limited health-care access. Second, there was continuing uncertainty around the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the European Union (EU). Brexit was completed, but there was little clarity over what would come next. Pitcairn was left to wait and hope that its interests would be safeguarded. This review also highlights several other developments, but it first considers Pitcairn’s response to covid-19.

The first detailed public discussions of covid-19 took place on 10 March, when the medical officer gave a presentation to a public meeting of the Pitcairn Island Council. He outlined the nature of the virus and some key measures that the island should take to protect itself, including establishing guidelines for shipping arrivals (pic 2020d). One early decision that was required related to the planned visit of a cruise ship, Le Soleal, which was due to arrive on 14 March. On 12 March, the council decided it would “not permit Le Soleal to land passengers, have traders or officials board the vessels or receive or provide provisions” (pic 2020c, 2). The decision went against the views of many at the time, who, in a community questionnaire, suggested that all shipping schedules should continue as normal. However, as the council noted, that “option was not really possible given the restrictions France and French Polynesian authorities have now put in place which have immediately impacted services between Pitcairn and Mangareva” (pic 2020c, 1). The council reconvened later that day for what was called the “gpi Corona virus Management Protocol Development workshop.” There, the council decided to ban all short-stay visitors from Pitcairn and all local traders and officials from boarding vessels. However, it did agree to permit cruise ships, tour vessels, and yachts to anchor offshore, circumnavigate Pitcairn, and land at Henderson, Oeno, and Ducie. The council also approved protocols for passengers arriving on the supply ship the Silver Supporter, which included limiting contact with locals as much as possible on disembarkation and completing fourteen days of self-isolation as required (pic 2020a). All of these decisions were to be reviewed on a monthly basis.

Two weeks later, on 30 and 31 March, the council met again to discuss what further measures would be required to prevent covid-19 from reaching Pitcairn. The council decided that neither home isolation nor physical distancing measures were needed. As the Pitcairn Miscellany noted, “life [continues] unabated, in the majority, with work continuing as normal” (2020e, 6). Further, those at the meeting discussed who was entitled to travel on the Silver Supporter. It was agreed that all permanent Pitcairn residents, as well as essential contracted staff and their partners, would be permitted to travel between Pitcairn and Aotearoa/New Zealand, provided that they adhered to all rules and protocols (pic 2020b). However, the decision caused disquiet among Pitcairners, who questioned whether Islanders should be allowed to return home during this period. Also, there was discussion on whether nonlocal contracted staff holding key roles, such as the doctor and the teacher, should be sent home. The government clearly articulated its frustration with these views. Administrator Nick Kennedy noted that “hmg (Her Majesty’s Government) and the Council are trying to both take care of Pitcairners and keep essential services operating,” while one council member said “that the community collectively needs to decide what it wants and say so plainly” (pic 2020k, 2).

One important issue needing attention was the question of what would happen if a Pitcairn resident became ill with covid-19. It was hoped that a medevac pathway could be established. On 7 April, Mayor Charlene Warren...