The Samoa Government has extended alert level 2 for another two weeks and lifted curfew hours; reverting back booking reservations for flights to airlines and opening schools are among the changes announced by Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa.
Starting next month, weekly flights will arrive from Australia and New Zealand and fortnightly from Fiji.
“Beginning from the flight this Sunday 22nd May all booking reservations and other airline arrangements for flights coming into and out of Samoa will be handed back to Airline companies and travel agents as have been the normal procedures before our borders were closed.
“The services for registration that were done through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and trade have now reverted back to the Airline offices using both online and on-site services.
“The traveling public is advised to do bookings online with the relevant airlines.”
The Prime Minister said the first step in reopening borders begins with entry allowed for all Samoan residents and travel on a Samoan passport. Samoans that travel on foreign passports but with exemption stamps for entry as well as foreign contracted workers with the relevant work and temporary resident permit.
“In reassessing our preparations for the reopening of our borders to International travelers as initially announced important consideration was given to our current rates of vaccinations sector planning for the reopening of our borders especially the private and business sector as well as the experiences of other neighboring countries.
Schools are back in session for the University students, and all colleges including those of the government, private, and mission will resume this Wednesday 18 May 2022.
Primary schools will resume on Monday 30th May 2022.
Last week, new quarantine requirements for traveling passengers were implemented.
“Now require all passengers to self-isolated at home for seven days. “Strict health measures and conditions have been put in place to ensure that these passengers adhere to reporting of the test results on the 3rd and 7th day to the Ministry of Health. ”
The Prime Minister warned that breaching these home isolation health requirements will incur a fine of $2000 tala.
According to Fiame, the curfew is lifted and the opening of international travel will commence on 1 August 2022.
“In this connection, Cabinet this afternoon approved that the country remains at alert level 2, for another two weeks from Tuesday midnight, 17th May, 2022 to midnight of Tuesday 31st May, 2022.
New changes introduced under these State of Emergency Orders include the following:
Removal of curfew hours which now allow people greater mobility throughout the whole day.
The referral of airline bookings and all other related airline arrangements to airline companies and travel agents for all travels to and from Samoa beginning on the 22nd May, 2022
Opening of our national borders to everyone on the 1st of August 2022.
The resumption of Colleges, Post-Secondary Education Training on 18th May, 2022, primary schools on the 30th May, and pre-schools on the 4th July, 2022.
All other SOE Orders remain unchanged.
The government through the usual channels will communicate details of these Orders.
Our condolences to the families and loved ones of those persons who have passed away due to complications of the virus. We continue to keep you in our prayers.”
