(GOVT. PRESS SECRETARIAT, 22nd January 2022, Samoa) – Failure to comply with the Nation Wide 48-hour Lockdown restrictions inked into law by the Ao Mamalu ole Malo, Le Afioga Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II comes with consequences.
You are liable to be slapped with a $2,000 fine without reprieve.
Failure to comply with the Lockdown restrictions will also place Samoa’s 200,000 plus residents in harm’s way.
This was relayed by the Secretary to Cabinet and Chairman of the National Emergency Operation Center Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo at a Special Press Conference with Director General of Health this afternoon to elaborate on the Lockdown announced officially by the Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa earlier in the day.
“With the legal powers inked in the Letters of the COVID19 State of Emergency Orders it is mandatory for face masks to be worn in public and the same mandate is applied to the rest of the restrictions,” says Agafili.
“The binding restrictions to comply to the letter is due to the potential collateral damages to our country especially the lives of our residents, now at high risk,” he added
As a result of the 15 positive COVID19 cases from the 73 passengers who arrived in the country on Wednesday from Brisbane Australia Samoa has moved to Alert Level 3 (RED) for the next 48 hours from January 22, 2022, 6pm until Monday 24, 2022, 6pm, observing the following measures:
• State of Emergency Restrictions
• Everyone Stays Home
• Complete border closure
• Activation of COVID-19 Zoning depending on location of community case identified
• Complete lockdown of zone areas
• Ban all mass gatherings
• School Closure
• Closure of all services (public and private) except for essential and emergency services
• Quarantine of front line and support staff
• No inter island travel
On that note, Agafili resounded the Government’s public plea for the country to comply by supporting the Lockdown because the “day dreaded by authorities for COVID19 to invade Samoa is here.”
“We cannot afford to be complacent,” Agafili continued. “Our country is in a National Emergency and our Security is under siege from COVID19.”
For the public’s sake, only authorized vehicles will be allowed on the roads during the lockdown period. All other activities such as work, schools, travels, restaurants, bars and churches will be closed.
All trading from Retail Stores to Wholesale outlets, Petrol Stations, Hotels etc. will all closed down during the Lockdown from 6:00pm Saturday 22nd January 2022 until 6:00pm Monday 24th January 2022.
QUARANTINE UPDATE
All positive cases are in isolation sites while the rest of the passengers remain in quarantine facilities.
And to date, all of the cases including the rest of 73 passengers from Australia and the 250 plus font-liners remain asymptomatic. And to date, all of the cases including the rest of 73 passengers from Australia and the 250 plus font-liners remain asymptomatic. All the passengers including the 250 plus frontline staff will be tested every 3 days while in Quarantine for 21 Days
