Quarantine and Borders Announcement No 487, 2011 (IP)

Ministry of Sedation, Ministry of Suspended Sensory Activities, Ministry of Hypnography and Conceptual Development, Ministry of Devolved Motor Authority, the NREM Senate and the REM Council Quarantine and Borders Announcement No 487, 2011 on Suspending Import of All Comestibles and Ingress of Persons Not Currently Found Within the Borders of the Federated States.

In accordance with the Domesticated Laws of the Federated States of Sleep, herein comprising the former colonies, North and South Dozing, Torpor and the Coma Peninsula (hereafter the ‘Federated States’), and the Oneiroi Treaty of 1945 (hereafter ‘the Treaty’) announcement is now released for the purposes of preventing the spread of a terminal epidemic.

Despite the best efforts of our medical staff the spread of the Insomnia virus has yet to be treated successfully. We are unable to confirm at this time the number of Sleepers who are infected, but estimate the number of those afflicted is now in excess of 35,000. As such, the following measures are being implemented with immediate effect:

1. Under the terms of the Treaty, with immediate effect the Federated States have closed their borders to all incoming traffic. The airports at Unconsciousness and Snooze City are no longer accepting flights. All incoming flights will be diverted to Red-Eye Internotional with immediate effect.
2. Also under the terms of the Treaty, all ports are closed with immediate effect.
• All foreign notional crew members have been restricted to their vessels and we are in the process of allowing for their departure. From this point onwards no vessel should enter the Bay of Exhaustion.
• All products due for export, already loaded or otherwise, shall remain in port. This regrettably shall include all supplies of Rheum that are not already en route. Whilst the ban remains in place we suggest local markets substitute local aggregates such as fine sands.
3. Citizen Sleepers may return home, but must do so overland via the Sleep-Waking border. This is to preserve border security. Anyone attempting entry by other routes will face detention and permanent deprivation of their Sleeping rights. Citizens returning to Sleep in this way are reminded that there will be no return to Waking until the present crisis is over.
4. The Federated States do not relinquish their claim on the disputed territories of Power Nap; we do maintain that the former colony, despite its geographical proximity to and close trade relations with Daydream and other border towns, is part of our notion, as recognised by the United Notions and the Treaty.
• Our patrols shall remain in place on the sleeping side of the border and will continue to monitor Daydreaming activity for any signs off encroachment into Sleep.
• Subsequent claims by Waking continue to be regarded as veiled aggression which will not be tolerated in Sleep. We shall, as ever, await and abide by the decision of the territories as to whether they are Waking or Sleeping.
5. The Federated States recognise, with immense gratitude, the offers of assistance received from the Dream Lands - notably the city of Night Terrors and their inestimably talented surgeons.
6. The Federated States formally request that the cities of Rumination and Deliberation alter their perambulatory schedules for the foreseeable future. We suggest that the cities head to Resolution and Nostalgia, on the far side of the Meditation Sea.
7. It is with regret that we must announce the cancellation of the annual symposium on Conceptual Development and Subconscious Inspiration for the first time in its illustrious 78 year history. Unfortunately the risks for all concerned are too large at this time.

We are unable to confirm further details at this juncture. We will continue to make regular updates to the United Notions regarding the progress of the Insomnia virus and, God willing, our progress against it. This announcement takes effect as from releasing.