Samoa moves to Alert Level 1 and shift to daily flights next month

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 30 MAY 2022: Samoa will move to Alert Level One as of midnight Tuesday 31^st of May following signs that the Covid-19 virus appears to have peaked in early May and there is now a downward trending of new infections.

Announcing the changes, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa said the campaign drive through the Ministry of Health, in close collaboration with the Disaster Advisory Committee, development partners, and all districts and villages across Samoa remains robust.

The latest figures from the Ministry of Health on the status of the COVID 19 in Samoa confirmed that 13,499 people have been infected. Out of this number, 13,405 are community cases, and 94 are imported cases. Five patients are currently monitored in isolation wards, and none in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Moto’otua hospital. There was one (1) new death recorded recently, taking the cumulative number of deaths to 26.

“As initially forecasted, the virus appears to have peaked in early May and there is now downward trending of new infections,” she said.

Moving to Alert Level One means the gradual reopening of schools this week with the resumption of all primary schools while all early childhood education resume in July.

International travels continue to operate on requirements approved earlier this month and number of flights to Samoa from next month will shift to daily flights with the complete opening of our borders on the 1st of August.

Flights between the two Samoa’s will start daily operations this month, conditional on the satisfaction of health requirements.

The Prime Minister said the monitoring of home isolation for arrivals is the prelude to the full opening of our borders.

“We have faced challenges in the effective monitoring of health measures for home isolation as were the experience over the last two weeks. However the message from government is clear for all travellers into Samoa –compliance with health measures is surety of the safety of families and loved ones,” she added.

SOE amendments:

1. All businesses to return to normal opening hours from Monday to Sunday.

2. Children under five (5) years old are now allowed in public places conditional on adherence to health requirements.

3. Permission for fishing boats crews’ shore leave is granted upon arrival at Matautu wharf while offloading their catches, and replenishment of supplies. This is subject to satisfaction of health requirements.

4. Resumption of daily flights from American Samoa to Apia.

5. Continuation of PCR tests for all arriving passengers and the removal of home isolation conditions.

6. Continued encouragement of the wearing of facial masks, social distancing and good hygiene.

“Our efforts towards achieving herd immunity for Samoa will continue to require everyone’s assistance and support. Central to this, is our responsibility to keep our families and loved ones safe. We have come a long way in this campaign, and have accomplished a lot,” said Fiame.

“However, let us not lose focus of the major tasks ahead of us in terms of preventing new infections and cooperation to drive our recovery.

“We continue to pray for the families of those who have lost loved ones to COVID 19. May the Holy Spirit continue to comfort you.

“Please stay safe as we celebrate our 60 years of independence,” she concluded.