Fijian Pastor Deported After Failing COVID-19 Compliance
According to the Vanuatu Daily Post – a local newspaper in Vanuatu, Mr Isireli was deported on Tuesday after he failed to comply with COVID-19 safety measures imposed by the country’s Health Ministry.
Thursday 02 June 2022 | 10:59
Pastor, Jone Isireli with relevant authority officers at Port Vila International Airport in Vanuatu. Photo: Vanuatu Daily Post
The Evergreen Christian Centre AOG International is not aware that its pastor, Jone Isireli, who has been serving at their church in Tanna, Vanuatu, was deported to Fiji.
A church elder confirmed that Mr Isireli has been a long-serving missionary in their Vanuatu church.
He was ministering there under the Evergreen International Church.
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According to the Vanuatu Daily Post – a local newspaper in Vanuatu, Mr Isireli was deported on Tuesday after he failed to comply with COVID-19 safety measures imposed by the country’s Health Ministry.
“Pastor Isireli continued to organise and hold public gatherings through church services. This was prohibited because Tanna was under the COVID-19 Alert Level Three,” the newspaper reported.
“Mr Isireli had ignored warnings from Police during the COVID-19 crisis and this led to his arrest.
A joint operation by the Vanuatu Immigration Services and Vanuatu Police Force removed him from Tanna .
He was transferred to the international airport where he awaited his flight back to Fiji.
Mr Isireli has been in Vanuatu since 2015 and was recently awarded his residency visa.
He was also issued with a ‘No Further Entry’ red stamp into the country.
Feedback: josefa.babitu@fijisun.com.fj
