The Samoa Government’s decision to reduce quarantine to seven days has been revoked but it’s been extended to 10 days.
This follows the discovery of four positive cases from the flight on the 29th of March and the re-assessment of the current situation in the country.
“This led to the decision to extend the quarantine period for passengers from this flight to 10 days.
“The earlier decision to commence the 7-day quarantine for the flight of the 29th of March has been revoked,” says the Ministry of Health in a statement issued.
According to the statement, 219 passengers arrived from Auckland on Tuesday 29th March and all were swabbed upon arrival at the airport prior to quarantine.
The results returned 4 positive cases. Passengers will undertake their second tests to be conducted today.
This week, Medical Doctor, Leituala Dr Ben Matalavea called the Government to give an explanation on the reduction of isolation days for passengers in last week’s flight.
Acknowledging that while a logical move has observations from other Pacific Countries, the explanation will avoid any confusion and unnecessary doubts by the public on the measures put in place by the Government as they deal with the rapid spread of community cases of COVID-19.
Deputy Director General Tagaloa Dr Robert Thomsen during a press conference with the media this week explained the lessened MIQ days as per recommendation from Cabinet and was effective for the flight that arrived Tuesday while the passengers from Fiji and New Zealand earlier in the month are still required to undergo 14 days in MIQ.
