Police investigate nurse & driver who breached Quarantine Procedures

Press Release – NEOC

APIA, SAMOA – 01 FEBRUARY 2022: A nurse and a driver who breached quarantine procedures last Saturday have been referred to police for investigation.

Following media reports about the incident early this week, NEOC finally confirmed this afternoon that the Disaster Finance Team from the Ministry of Finance reported to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) the sighting of a vehicle assigned to the Three Hearts Shrine quarantine site at the SCB ATM location close to the Fugalei Market on Saturday afternoon, 29 January.

Consequently, NEOC contacted the driver of the said vehicle to verify the movements of the vehicle that afternoon, in particular between 2.30pm to 3.45pm. It was confirmed by the driver that prior to leaving the quarantine site at 2.30pm to refill the vehicle at the Government petrol station at Lepea, a quarantine nurse who had asked to be taken to an ATM, joined his vehicle.

The driver confirmed stopping at the SCB ATM at Fugalei for less than five minutes on return from the petrol station before proceeding to the MOH to pick up deliveries for the quarantine site, and then returning to the Three Hearts Shrine.

NEOC said that every precaution was taken to minimise their exposure to the general public, especially at the ATM site. The driver also remained in the vehicle for the duration of their travels. In addition, both workers were fully decontaminated prior to their leaving the quarantine site.

NEOC said the matter is currently under Police investigation and personnel involved are grounded at the quarantine site for the remainder of the quarantine period.