Samoa’s Alert Levels downgraded to Level 1
Samoa's Alert Level will be downgraded to an Alert Level 1, and daily flights to resume between Samoa and American Samoa according to Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa.
In a press conference on Monday afternoon, Fiame stated that COVID-19 appears to have peaked in early May and now there is a downward trending of new infections, while vaccination rates continue to climb steadily.
"For the age group 18 years plus, 93.1% have completed two doses, similarly 89.7% of the 12-17 age group have done two doses, 87.6% have done so for the 5-11 age group," Fiame said on Monday.
"Vaccination remains our best defense against severe symptoms of the virus. I would again encourage all those who have not done or completed their vaccinations, including a booster to visit the nearest hospital to do so. Our ultimate target is to achieve herd immunity for Samoa, to help protect our families and especially the young children who are currently ineligible for COVID 19 vaccines."
Fiame said that Cabinet has approved that Samoa moves to alert level 1 (yellow) for the next 4 weeks commencing from midnight of 31st of May to the midnight of June 28th.
Ammendments made to the State of Emergency under Alert Level 1 are: All businesses to return to normal opening hours from Monday to Sunday; Children under 5 years old are now allowed in public places conditional on adherence to health requirements; 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; Resumption of daily flights from American Samoa to Apia; Continuation of PCR tests for all arriving passengers and the removal of home isolation conditions; 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," Fiame said.
"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. 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."