Samoa’s Borders Remain Closed to Australia

Samoans stranded in Australia have been asked to be patient by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who confirms that Samoa’s borders will remain closed to the continent.

Speaking at his weekly live program Prime Minister Tuilaepa said the situation in Australia is being closely monitored and Samoa will only consider a reopening of borders once Australia is Covid-free.

“A faafogafoga mai la tatou tagata o loo i Ausetalia ma tagitagi mai pea, e leai se mea e mafai ona fai ona o lea lava e mamai tagata…”

Australia has not been able to match New Zealand’s response to the global pandemic with 23 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours – 1 from NSW, 1 from Queensland and 21 in Victoria.

Samoans are currently in Australia as seasonal workers for the Seasonal Workers Program (SWP) and the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS).

According to the 2016 Australian census, there are 75,755 Australians with Samoan ancestry, and that number includes the 24,017 Australian residents who were born in Samoa.

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