Police Confirm Breach of Quarantine Laws by Two Security Guards and a Taxi Driver

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File photo: Samoa Police enforcing SOE restrictions during Samoa's nationwide lockdown, Jan 2022. Photo: SPPCS.

The Samoa Police have confirmed a quarantine breach at one of the isolation sites currently housing passengers from the latest repatriation flight from Auckland.

Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti told Samoa Global News two security guards and a taxi driver have been detained and taken into isolation after physical contact with passengers at one of the isolation sites.

Papali says police will proceed with charging the individuals for breach of SOE and quarantine restrictions.

“We are awaiting their release to investigate further,” said Deputy Commissioner Papalii, “but I can confirm that they have been taken into isolation and will face charges under Samoa’s current State of Emergency laws”.

The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) have not yet released a statement.

There are currently 172 passengers and 217 frontliners in isolation since the arrival of the 6th March repatriation flight.

Upon arrival, eight passengers tested positive. A further four tested positive after the Day 3, and a health worker who stabbed passengers at Faleolo Airport tested positive on Day 6. A further two frontliners said to be close contacts of the healthcare worker have also tested positive taking Samoa’s current cases in isolation to 15.