“Our country is in a National Emergency and our Security is Under Siege from COVID19″ – NEOC Chair
GOVT. PRESS SECRETARIAT, 22nd January 2022, Samoa – Secretary to Cabinet and Chairman of Samoa’s National Emergency Operations Centre Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo has resounded the Government’s public plea for the country to comply by supporting the 48-hour nationwide lockdown because the “day dreaded by authorities for COVID19 to invade Samoa is here.”
“We cannot afford to be complacent,” says Agafili. “Our country is in a National Emergency and our Security is under siege from COVID19.”
“Failure to comply with the Nation Wide 48-hour Lockdown restrictions inked into law by the Ao Mamalu ole Malo, Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II comes with consequences.
Agafili reminded the public that State of Emergency fines remain valid and anyone who is found breaching SOE orders faces fines of up to $2,000 tala without reprieve. “Failure to comply with the lockdown restrictions will also place Samoa’s 200,000 plus residents in harm’s way”.
Agafili was speaking at a Special Press Conference with Director General of Health on Saturday afternoon, to elaborate on the lockdown announced officially by 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 facemasks to be worn in public and 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
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.
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