Samoa remains on Alert Level 2 with several restrictions relaxed

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 19 APRIL 2022: Samoa is remaining on Alert Level 2 for the next two weeks until 3 May 2022 with several of the State of Emergency (SOE) orders being relaxed.

In announcing the restrictions, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa said although the number of cumulative cases and deaths continue to rise, the country needs to be vigilant in the implementation of the recommended public health measures.

She emphasized public support of recommended health protection measures in the overall move towards opening of the country’s borders under the new reality of living with Covid-19.

The fact that the necessary services need to be accessible to everyone necessitates the review of emergency orders from time to time.

In this regard, Cabinet decided at its meeting of today 19 April that the whole country will remain at Alert Level 2 Orange for the next two weeks beginning from midnight tonight 19 April until midnight Tuesday 3 May.

The amended orders are:

• Business hours will open from 6.00am to 8.00pm  Monday to Saturday,

• Sunday from 12.00pm  to 8.00pm,

• Opening hours from 6.00am to 8.00pm and curfew will be in place from 10.00pm until 6.00am the following day,

• Sale of alcohol is open in hotels, bars, restaurants and shops that are licensed to do so within opening hours of 6.00am to 8.00pm unless stipulated otherwise by the Liquor Board,

• Opening of public gatherings for 50 people for indoor settings and 100 for outdoors,

• Permitting of gaming and related activities in according with security and safety measures from  6.00am to 8.00pm,

• Opening of all sports and recreational activities considering the set number of people mentioned above and in compliance with all health related measures. The organizers are responsible for observing and compliance with all such security and safety measures at all times,

• Swimming is permitted at beaches and rivers during the required hours,

• All schools remain closed, learning and teaching to continue using the current platforms and arrangements,

• Children under 12 years old not allowed in public places,

• Allowing of public transport under strict observance of social distancing and health protective measures,

• Continue of inter-island ferry services observing  social distancing and other related protective measures,

• All border related restrictions continue as in the previous SOE order,

• Normal working hours for the public sector will resume with strict protection of health protective measures,

• Business owners and organizers of any public gathering are responsible for ensuring compliance with social distancing wearing face masks and other related protection arrangements.

Prime Minister Fiame also conveyed condolences to the families of the 13 mainly elderly people confirmed to have died of COVID-19 related causes.

Since 17 March 2022, Samoa has recorded 6296 positive cases with 63 border reported cases bringing the total to 6309.

There are currently 15 in people in isolation at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole hospital, and 4 in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and 120 fully recovered.

“The immediate focus is to continue to complete administration of the second doses to the 5 to 11 age group,” said Fiame.

The current vaccination rates is:

• 9% of 18 and over have completed vaccination doses,

• 2% of  the age group from 12 to 17 years completed both doses,

• 5% from the age group of 5 to 11 years old have completed  2 doses however, 93.8%  have done only the first dose, Vaccination roll-out continues for this age group

• 59,759 boosters have completed which is 49. 8% of those eligible for booster doses from the age of 18 plus.

”We continue to strongly encourage our country to complete vaccination, wear face masks, practice social distancing and minimize movements and public gathering,” said the Prime Minister.