Samoa remains at Alert Level 2, borders to reopen later this year.

The Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa has announced Samoa will remain at an Alert Level 2 for the next two weeks, while the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) is to reopen, and borders to reopen later this year.

In an announcement made on Monday evening Fiame announced that the Alert Level 2 lockdown will will be extended for another two weeks starting from Tuesday night 3rd of May to the 17th of May.

"Cabinet this afternoon considered reccomedations from the the Disaster Advisory Committee. The deliberations took into account the current status of our efforts to contain the spread of the virus and to minimise the severeity of cases through our continuing drive for vaccinations," Fiame said on Monday.

"Cabinet has also considered the reopening of schools based on trhe recommendations of the committee as well as amending business opening hours. Further Cabinet considered the plan for reopening for our international borders."
Fiame added that critical to this decision are the current rates of the country's vaccination programme.

She said that ammendments to quarantine conditions and the opening of borders of our neighboring countries like Australia and Fiji, as well as New Zealand in October this year.

"In this connection Cabinet this afternoon approved the continuation of Alert Level 2, organge, for another two weeks with ammendments as follow," she said.

"One, the National University of Samoa to resume classes as planned for early this month. Secondary, Primary, and Early Childhood Education will gradually reopen during May upon Cabinets consideration of a scheduled plan from the education sector on the resumption of all schools.

"Secondly, business opening hours are now extended from 6am to 10pm from Monday to Saturday. The curfew starts from 11pm to 6am of the next day where only authorised personnel and vehicles are allowed on the road.

"Thirdly, for Sunday services, business hours are from 12pm to 10pm at night

“Fourthly, public gatherings including church services are opened but the public is encouraged to maintain social distancing, wearing of facial masks, and showing of vaccination cards.

"Fifthly, resume international flights this month for all our citizens travelling top Samoa for various purposes and all those who are contracted to work in Samoa.

"Six, opening of international borders in August September 2022."