A very pleasant good afternoon Samoa,
The recent COVID 19 update as of 2.00pm yesterday afternoon confirmed 164 new
community cases, taking the number of active community cases to 2,443.
97 percent of these cases are in Upolu and 3 percent in Savaii. There are 12 cases
currently in the isolation wards at Motootua with mild to moderate symptoms. However,
it is encouraging to note that nine hundred and twenty seven (927) cases have
recovered.
As of current, the Ministry of Health have confirmed two COVID 19 related deaths.
Our prayers and condolences are with the families, relatives and children of the two
persons who have passed away.
These are known consequences of the virus given the experiences in other countries. In
fact, due to the transmissibility of the COVID 19 virus, many people will be infected and
recover. A percentage of those infected will develop acute symptoms and will require
hospitalcare. There will be deaths. That is why it is paramount for everyone to be fully
vaccinated, and continue to adhere to health preventive measures to minimize new
infections.
Cabinet this afternoon considered recommendations from the Disaster Advisory
Committee on the next steps of our alert levels. And in view of our priorities, we shall
continue to drive the vaccination programmes for the eligible age groups and booster
doses which are now underway in Upolu and Savaii. At the same time, important
considerations should be made on how to adjust and operate under the new norm of
'living with COVID 19'. Under these considerations it is unavoidable to make sacrifices,
adjust our national, organisational and individual plans to do business, understand our
own context, and assess our capacity to respond to the challenges ahead of us.
In this connection Cabinet has approved the shift in our alert levels from level 3 to level
2 – (Orange) for two weeks, commencing from midnight tomorrow, 5 April to midnight of
April, 19 2022.
Under level 2, some amendments have been made to the State of Emergency Orders to
help reduce congestion in public places, continue to drive vaccination and testing

programmes, and to assist inslowing down new infections. At the same time, level 2
provides space for government Ministries and Corporations, private sector and civil
society to operate businesses, and to deliver services required for the country. These
amendments include;
i. Opening hours for all businesses and shops are from 6am to 2.00pm from
Monday to Saturday.
ii. No businesses or shops to open on Sunday.
iii. Church services to reopen but restricted to 30 people.
iv. Funerals restricted to 30 people.
v. .Other gatherings are allowed but restricted to 15 people
vi. Ferry services between Upolu and Savaii to operate from Monday to Saturday
under level 2 requirements.
vii. Alcohol sale remains prohibited.
viii. All schools to remain closed.
In our hope to safeguard young children under12 years old, especially those who have
not being vaccinated, they are not allowed in public places.
Other relevant details of the SOE Orders under alert Level Two will be communicated
through government information platforms.
Under level 2, government Ministries and Corporations, private sector and civil society
are required to implement their business continuity plans under the new norm 'living with
COVID 19'. This includes but not limited to strict observance of health requirements
such as wearing of facial masks, social distancing, showing of vaccination cards,
undertaking COVID 19 tests, health and safety of employees and the general public that
they serve.
Health is wealth, and it goes without saying that our' health is in our hands'. It remains a
priority of the government, and it should continue to remain our nation's responsibility at
all levels.
We thank you for continuing to work closely with the government, and for all your
prayers.
God bless Samoa. Soifua