Revised Covid-19 Travel Advisory Postpones Repatriation Flight

One of the repatriation flights arriving at Faleolo International Airport.

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 14 MAY 2021: Changes made to Samoa’s pre-departure requirements under its revised Covid-19 Travel Advisory has cancelled the repatriation flight from New Zealand scheduled for this afternoon.

Head of National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo told the media yesterday that the changes has caused the flight to be postponed to 28 May due to revised travel advisory requirements imposed on all travellers coming into Samoa.

The flight was to bring home over a hundred returning Samoan seasonal workers who have served their RSE contracts with employers in New Zealand.

Agafili said various parties such as New Zealand Immigration and Air New Zealand were consulted and have agreed to the changes and for the postponement of the flight.

He also gave an update on the repatriation flight that was to bring home Samoan citizens stranded in the United States.

The flight was to utilize a Fiji Airways carrier but due to the tight protection measures following the rise of Covid-19 cases in Fiji, this flight from the United States will continue to be delayed for up to three months.