A referendum on reopening for tourism was held in Easter Island on 24 October 2021. Despite the importance of tourism to the island's economy, the proposal was rejected by 66% of voters. Voter turnout was around 20%.[1]
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Do you agree with the opening of the island in February 2022? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background
editThe island was closed to visitors from 16 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the closure, there were only eight cases of COVID recorded (and no deaths), with the last case in September 2020.[1]
In October 2021 Ma'u Henu (the organisation responsible for running the island's parks) organised a referendum amongst the indigenous population on whether the island should reopen to tourists in January 2022.[2] Although the vote was consultative, the island authorities stated that they would respect the result.[2]
Results
edit| Choice | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| For | 320 | 33.02 | |
| Against | 649 | 66.98 | |
| Total | 969 | 100.00 | |
| Valid votes | 969 | 99.69 | |
| Invalid/blank votes | 3 | 0.31 | |
| Total votes | 972 | 100.00 | |
| Source: Direct Democracy | |||