Samoa Locks Down as First COVID-19 Community Case is Confirmed

APIA, SAMOA – 17 MARCH 2022: Samoa is moving into Alert Level 2 – Yellow as of midnight tonight, Friday 18th March as the Prime Minster has just confirmed the first community case.

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa made the late night media announcement at 10:30 tonight, confirming that the positive community case was detected when this person undertook a test this afternoon as prerequisite to departing Samoa for overseas.

This person is now isolated at Moto’otua isolation ward as the Ministry of Health undergoes the huge task of contact tracing – focusing on all places of interest, movements and possible contacts of the infected case.

Lockdown and moving to Alert Levels 2
The Prime Minister then declared moving to Alert Level 2 – ORANGE commencing 12am tonight.

All closed are schools, night clubs, bars, fitness centres and sports other services to remain open. Carrying vaccination cards and wearing masks are mandatory.

National lockdown at Alert Levels 3
The whole country further moves to Alert Level 3 – RED and a national lockdown commencing 12am on Saturday 19th March to Tuesday 22nd March.

A nationwide lockdown and all schools, public gatherings, churches, interisland and international travel except for essential services.

The Ministry of Health will continue with contact tracing and provide all health measures to contain any rapid community transmission. Cabinet will assess the situation after the lockdown and advise the country accordingly.

The Prime Minister appealed to the public to use tomorrow to prepare for the national lockdown starting 12am Saturday 19th March and until Tuesday 22nd March.

Fiamē acknowledged the public’s support and patience in keeping Samoa safe from the pandemic.