The Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataafa and the Prime Minister of New
Zealand, Rt Hon. Jacinda Ardern today signed the “Arrangement to facilitate one-way
quarantine-free travel from Samoa to New Zealand”.
The Arrangement recognises the important and enduring relationship between our two
countries and is a culmination of extensive consultation and negotiation conducted at
officials’ level, to ensure that quarantine-free travel is facilitated safely. For this reason,
the Arrangement will initially commence for workers under the Recognised Seasonal
Employment Scheme only and there are additional measures in place for assurance.
These include a pre-registration system endorsing that RSE workers are vaccinated and
have been in Samoa or Tokelau for 14 days immediately prior to travel, a brief period of
self-isolation on arrival and to return two negative COVID tests taken on arrival (day
0/1) and day 5.
Travellers to Samoa are still required to enter quarantine in accordance with national
health requirements as determined according to flight risk.
The Arrangement is expected to commence on the 12 October 2021 and will be closely
monitored during its first stages.
Both Governments intend to broaden traveller eligibility for quarantine-free travel to
New Zealand so the Arrangement will be within a month from commencement to
consider expanding application to additional classes of individuals, such as New Zealand
citizens and residents, scholarship students, and those travelling under a medical health
scheme.