5:50pm Monday 24 January 2022, Apia Samoa. Samoa is expected to come out of its 48-hour lockdown at 6pm Monday, however, sources say there will be an extension announced by the Prime Minister shortly.
Meantime, shops and supermarkets had braced for the 6pm opening and are praying the announcement will still allow for a few hours of trading this evening. Three bakeries contacted by SGN confirm hot bread is ready.
The lockdown was taken as a precautionary measure to safeguard a community outbreak after 15 positive cases of covid-19 were confirmed from passengers of a Brisbane repatriation flight. All 15 have been in isolation since arrival into Samoa.
The nation eagerly awaits a special announcement by the Prime Minister but it’s only a few minutes to 6pm.
Prime Minister Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa is expected to address the nation there were 2.3k viewers logged onto the Government Facebook page around 5pm, awaiting the pre-advised announcement. After 20 minutes, that number dropped to 2k viewers and with 10 minutes to go until 6pm, it’s at 1.8k with many now taking to not-so-nice and some to Samoan-humour comments on social media.
This is a developing story. To extend or not extend. It’s 5:50pm.
