2020 in the Cook Islands

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Decades:	2000s 2010s 2020s
See also:	Other events of 2020 Timeline of Cook Islander history

Events in the year 2020 in the Cook Islands .

Incumbents

• Monarch: Elizabeth II
• Queen's Representative: Tom Marsters
• Prime Minister: Henry Puna (until 1 October), Mark Brown (from 1 October)

Events

Ongoing – COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania

March

• 26 March – Prime Minister Henry Puna announced that 'Code Yellow' measures would be in place in the islands, by which public gatherings are restricted. ^[1]
• 28 March – Despite not having any cases, flights from destinations other than New Zealand were cancelled in addition to all non-essential surgeries. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

June

• 17 June - Prime Minister Henry Puna announces his intention to step down in order to compete for the role of Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum. ^{[5] [6]}

August

• 15 August – The government temporarily closed its air borders to any travellers in response to the re-emerging of COVID-19 cases in Auckland, New Zealand. ^[7]

September

• 23 September – Human rights campaigners urge the islands MPs to abolish Article 64 of the Crimes Act, which criminalises gay men with up to 14 years' imprisonment. The activists call on the lawmakers to abide by the Constitution. ^[8]

Deaths

• 27 May – Peri Vaevae Pare, former Cabinet Minister. ^[9]
• 4 September
  • Joe Williams, former Prime Minister (b. 1934). ^[10]
  • Nandi Glassie, former Cabinet Minister (b. 1951). ^[11]

References

1. "Covid-19: Cook Islands to move to Code Yellow". 25 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
2. "Coronavirus: Stricter measures introduced in Guam, Cook Islands". 17 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
3. "Cook Islands ramps up Covid-19 prevention and mitigation". 18 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
4. "Coronavirus: A look at cases and restrictions in the Pacific". 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
5. "The Cook Islands PM to stand down in September". RNZ. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
6. "Cook Islands PM Henry Puna to step down, nominated for Forum SG". PINA. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
7. "Cook Islands closes border over re-emergence of Covid-19 in NZ". RNZ . 2020-08-15. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
8. "Human rights campaigners urge Cook Island MPs to uphold Constitution". RNZ . 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
9. "'Cherish every moment' – family". Cook Islands News. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
10. Melina Etches (5 September 2020). "Dr Joseph Williams – a man of mana and humility". Cook Islands News . Retrieved 6 September 2020.
11. Melina Etches (5 September 2020). "Former health minister passes away". Cook Islands News . Retrieved 6 September 2020.