I extend to you all a warmest welcome this morning. We thank our gracious Lord for leading us to safely arrive to the end of this week.
Our nation has been informed with earlier announcements from Government on the number of passengers currently in managed isolation, who have been tested positive with COVID 19. This morning 15 confirmed COVID 19 cases have been identified. All of them are passengers who arrived from a flight from Brisbane this week on Wednesday, 19th January, 2021.
This is a significant number of cases for Samoa, and despite all of them being in quarantine, Cabinet has decided to exercise and impose measures that will further enhance the security and protection of everyone from the virus particularly a likely community transmission.
In this connection, Cabinet has considered and approved in view of the advice from the NEOC, to elevate Samoa’s alert level to level 3 – (Red) High Risk. As such, I hereby declared that a nationwide lockdown will be enforced for Samoa from 6pm today, Saturday, 22nd January, 2022 until 6pm on Monday, 24th January, 2022.
The lockdown will require everyone to remain at their homes except for authorised essential workers who will continue to provide crucial and necessary services to the country. Only authorised 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. Cabinet will carefully continue to monitor all developments during the lockdown and will make necessary amendments depending on the situation at hand.
The Police will continue to maintain law and order. The Disaster Advisory Committee and the NEOC will provide further relevant information for the general public.
It is our humble request that we continue to work together as a nation and to trust in God, for He will never leave nor forsake us. We implore your support and assistance by staying safe in our homes.
SOIFUA
