Five Samoan sailors back in Italy to await next repatriation flight

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 14 MARCH 2022: Five Samoan sailors who transited through New Zealand from Italy for repatriation back to Samoa have been returned to Italy.

They were supposed to be on the repatriation flight from New Zealand that arrived Sunday 06 March but due to issues with their medical forms from the port of origin, the Ministry of Health could not allow them to enter.

Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Shipping Corporation, Lautimuia Afoa Vaai told Talamua that the sailors are waiting for the next repatriation flight on 18 of March to return home.

“Five of them have gone back on ships in Italy and are scheduled to come on the 18 of March’s repatriation flight,” he said.

These sailors were booked among 172 repatriated passengers on the flight that touched down at Faleolo Airport 6 March 2022.

Eight passengers from that flight were confirmed positive on 7 March and four more tested positive on 10 March and the numbers have grown to 15 as of today.

MOH travel conditions and criteria for incoming passengers have been emphasized on their updated Covid-19 Travel Advices.