COVID LOCKDOWN UPDATE: 20 positive cases, lockdown extended to Thursday

by Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 24 JANUARY 2022: The nationwide Covid-19 lockdown that was supposed to end at 6.00 this evening has been extended for three more days to 6pm Thursday, 27 January.

Cabinet made the decision today after five new positive cases were confirmed by the Ministry of Health, the Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa announced this evening.

The five new cases are all nurses who were in isolation at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National hospital and have been taking care of the 15 positive cases that were confirmed on Thursday last week.

It is the highest number of Covid-19 positive cases since Samoa locked down its borders in March 2020 and these were passengers who travelled from Brisbane, Australia last Wednesday.

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa announcing the lockdown extension for 72 more hours.

Fiame also confirmed that 280 frontline workers now being isolated have been tested and their results are expected tomorrow.

She also confirmed that there is no evidence of a community transmission at this stage.

Samples from the 15 positive cases have been sent to New Zealand to confirm which variant they have been infected by.

The extended lockdown restrictions will allow shops to open 0800-200pm tomorrow, Tuesday and Thursday to replenish supplies. Other services to open include banks, cash power stations, pharmacies, markets, money transfer and petrol stations.

Members of the public need to wear masks and carry vaccination IDs to enter shops and services allowed to open for these two days.

Children under 12 years of age are not allowed in public places including shops during the opening hours on Tuesday and Thursday.

Ferry services will only be open for cargo and fuel supplies for Savaii Island but no passengers will be allowed.