The negative results are a testament of the effective donning and doffing of health protective
gears that frontline workers are mandated to wear, and efficient regular health and safety drills
conducted as part their preparations
‘We praise the Name of Jesus Christ for these wonderful results, for He has been our
impenetrable shield and stronghold throughout our seemed endless battle again this virus’, said
the Chairman of the Disaster Advisory Committee –Agafili.
The combine frontline team of 173 personnel included government border and transport
services as follows;
Ministry of Health 52
Samoa Airport Authority 30
Samoa Airways (Ground Handling) 25
National Emergency Operation Centre (drivers) 20
Ministry of Police and Prisons 17
Immigration, (M.P.M.C.) 12
Aircraft Cleaners 7
Quarantine Division, (MAF) 6
Customs Division, (MCR) 4
TOTAL 173-All tested negative
Border Security is one of the pillars of our national preventative measures against COVID 19.
Samoa is one of the first counties in the world to close its regulated ports of entry in the wake of
the COVID 19, and had made some of the toughest decisions which led to refused entry of a
few of our nationals returning home, for non-compliance with health travel advisories.
The success of border operation relies heavily on the frontline team doing their mandatory
responsibilities, and returning passengers to adhere to all travel requirements sanctioned by
government.
Summaries from the latest National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) Situation Report on
all actions taken since March this year are provided hereunder.
COVID 19 PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE STATUS
Proclamation of a State of Emergency
Proclamation of a State of Emergency for COVID 19 was issued on 20 March 2020 and
Effective 21 March 2020 (period: 21 March to 4th April)
o NEOC activated on 20 March 2020 for response coordination with advise from the
Ministry of Health
o Extension issued on 03 April 2020 and Effective 12am of the morning of 5th April
2020 until 12 midnight of 02 May 2020 (period of 4 weeks)
o Extension issued 01 May 2020 and Effective 04 May 2020 to 30 May 2020 (period of
4 weeks).
o Amended Extension order issued thereafter amending the dates of the extension to:
03 May to 2 June 2020 (period of 4 weeks)
o Extension issued 30 May 2020 and Effective 03 June 2020 (for a period of 4 weeks)
to 02 July 2020.
o Extension issued 02 July 2020 and Effective 03 July 2020 (for a period of 4 weeks)
to 02 August 2020
o Extension issued 27 July 2020 and effective 03 August to 30 August 2020
o Extension issued 28 August 2020 and effective on the 31 August to 27 September
2020
o Extension issued 24 September 2020 and effective on the 28 September to 26
October 2020
o Extension issued 28 October 2020 and effective on the 27 October to 22 November
2020
o Extension issued 18 November and effective on the 23 November to 20 December
2020
Samoa COVID 19 National Alert Levels activated on 27 November 2020.
3,216 repatriated and quarantined passengers following enforcement of SOE Orders.
As of 27/11/2020, there were 5,845 PCR GeneXpert cartridges for COVID-19 testing in
stock for processing within country. Stock is consistently replenished by the WHO.
SOE Restrictions Breaches
SOE restriction fines
Total number of tickets issued re SOE order breach – 185 (22 March – Oct)
Total number of warnings issued – 405 (21 march – 31 Oct)
Sea Port Update
As at 26 Nov 2020
366 vessels entered Samoan borders between the months of March to
November, 2020 upon satisfaction of health requirements.
103 container vessels
61 general cargo vessels
8 gas carrier vessels
6 research/naval/patrol/training vessels
9 tanker vessels
174 fishing vessels
1 ferry
3 yachts
1 cable vessel
Quarantine Sites
Eight quarantine sites were activated for the first set of incoming passengers within SOE
period.
13 hotel quarantine sites and 11 home quarantine sites were identified and activated to
cater for incoming passengers on the repatriation flight from NZ and Am. Samoa on 29 May
2020.
13 hotel quarantine sites and 11 home quarantine sites were identified and activated to
cater for incoming passengers on the repatriation flight from NZ on 12 June 2020.
16 hotel quarantine sites and 7 home quarantine sites were identified and activated to cater
for incoming passengers on the repatriation flight from NZ on 27 June 2020.
14 hotel quarantine sites and 1 home quarantine site was identified and activated to cater
for incoming passengers on the repatriation flight from NZ on 10 July 2020.
17 Hotel quarantine sites & 6 home locations were identified and activated to cater for
passengers from repatriation flight on the 24 July 2020.
19 Hotel quarantine sites & 4 home locations were identified and activated to cater for
incoming passengers on the repatriation flight from NZ on 07 Aug 2020.
4 Hotel quarantine sites & 4 home locations were identified and activated to cater for
incoming passengers on the repatriation flight from Fiji on 08 Aug 2020.
14 Hotel/Accommodation & 15 home locations were identified and activated to cater for
incoming passengers on the repatriation flight from NZ on 18 September 2020.
2 Hotel locations were identified and activated to cater for incoming passengers on the
repatriation flight from Fiji on 01 Oct 2020.
27 Hotel and hospital location and 6 home locations were identified and activated to cater
for incoming passengers on the repatriation flight from NZ on 02 Oct 2020.
26 Hotel locations and 21 home locations were identified and activated to cater for incoming
passengers on the repatriation flight from NZ on 30 Oct 2020.
21 Hotel locations and 13 home locations were identified and activated to cater incoming
passenger on the repatriation flight from NZ on 13 Nov 2020 as well as the port and health
officials for the Fesko Askold vessel cargo clearance.