Despite the opening of international borders, all travellers must be fully vaccinated and their vaccination cards are a must to enter Samoa.
This is due to the ongoing emergence of different COVID-19 variants AND other Infectious Diseases of International Concern (e.g. Monkeypox) with imminent spread to other countries including Samoa realizes the need for vigilance at our international borders.
In its latest Travel Advisory, the Ministry of Health says pursuant to section 29 of the Health Ordinance 1959 “strongly advises” all travellers age 12 years and above including flight crew are required to be fully vaccinated before entry into Samoa.
“The prescribed 2 doses are vaccines pre-qualified by the World Health Organization namely AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Sinophatm, Sinovac, Covaxin, Novavax and Janssen-single dose.
“A legitimate vaccine certificate is required for boarding and a hard copy must be presented at check-in and upon arrival into Samoa.
“Vaccine certificates in the form of electronic documents on phones or other electronic devices including email will not be accepted. Being fully vaccinated means completion of the required prescribed doses as per the vaccine used.
“All passengers should have completed 2 weeks (14 days) post-vaccination prior to travel. The vaccine certificate must be a Health Authority Approved Certificate/Card of the country where the vaccination took place.
“Passengers with special medical conditions that warrant exemption from COVID- 19 vaccination must email the following address surveillance@health.gov.ws thirty (30) days prior to the planned travel date, attaching a written report from a registered medical officer stating reasons for exemption.
The Ministry reserves the right to deny boarding if it is not satisfied with the submitted medical report.”
Upon arrival in Samoa and pursuant to section 29 of the Health Ordinance 1959, all passengers are required to wear face masks at all times and are subject to testing at the request of Health Officials at the Airport.
“All passengers arriving in Samoa are strongly encouraged to take precautionary and preventative measures within the first few days of arrival.
“All passengers are to arrange and have a supervised RapidAntigenTest(RAT) done at any health facility or private clinic within the first 3 days of arrival and report results to the Ministry of Health via email address siirveillancefihealth.gov.ws Self-Testing at home is not acceptable.
“Any passenger with a POSITIVE test must self/home isolate for 7 days from the date tested positive with a repeat RAT test done on day7. If still positive extend another three days and repeat a RAT test.
