Samoa to open International Borders in August

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA- 03 MAY 2022: The Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa has announced the plan to reopen Samoa’s international borders to international travellers from August/September this year.

Before that, the country will welcome the arrivals of Samoan citizens and foreign contractors from May.

Critical to the decision to reopen Samoa’s international borders is the current rates of  the vaccination program, amendments to quarantine conditions and the opening of borders of neighbouring countries like Australia and Fiji as well as New Zealand in October this year.

It has been two years since Samoa closed its borders due to the pandemic which has had a major impact on the tourism industry and the overall economy.

Samoa continues under Alert Level 2 for two more weeks commencing midnight tonight until 17 May 2022.

Fiame also announced the relaxed restrictions to the current State of Emergency such as:

• The National University of Samoa to resume classes as planned for this month.

• Secondary, Primary and Early Childhood Education schools will gradually reopen in May upon Cabinet’s consideration of a schedule plan from the education sector on the resumption of schools.

• Business opening hours now extended from 6.00am to 10.00pm on Monday to Saturday. The curfew starts from 11.00pm to 6.00am the next day. Only authorized personnel vehicles are allowed on the roads and for Sunday, business hours are from 12.00pm to 10.00pm.

• Public gathering opens including church services but to maintain the SOE provisions on social distancing, wearing of facial masks and showing of vaccination cards.

• Resumption of international flights for this month for returning citizens and contracted workers.

• Opening of international borders in August/September 2022.

The details of the amendments will be communicated through the usual public platform.

Only travellers tested positive to be quarantined
Fiame also confirmed that only travellers who test positive on arrival at Faleolo airport will be quarantined at allocated sites and those tested negative will be released to be isolated at home.

They are expected to conduct tests and inform the health authorities of their results.

Based on the health records and the base with which the virus has spread, it is expected COVID-19 will reach its peak by the end of this month.

Vaccination roll-out commendable
Cabinet has commended the vaccination campaign and the continued leadership by the Health and DAC in their perseverance with the program rollout in the community.

Since 17 March 2022 when the first community case was detected, 9592 cases have been recorded for Samoa.

Of the latest cases, 202 patients admitted, 11 are in isolation at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, 1 in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the rest discharged.

There are 19 COVID-19 related deaths to date including 3 new deaths within the past 48 hours.

It is recorded that 65,949 rapid tests have been administered and a new supply of Pfizer vaccines to help continue the vaccination roll-out in Savaii.

Another supply of Pfizer vaccines arrived from New Zealand in the weekend, and this will assist with the vaccination roll-out for the 5 to 11 age group in Savaii.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the country’s patience and support with the vaccination campaign and also offered condolences to the families who have lost loved ones to COVID-19.