The Health Ministry has issued travel restrictions that reduces the number of weekly flights from New Zealand, Fiji and American Samoa for all airlines servicing Samoa, effective from next week onwards.
Samoa had 11 flights from New Zealand every week; 5 by Samoa Airways and 6 by Air New Zealand. That now reduces to 6 flights with each airline given a maximum of three flights per week.
Similarly Samoa Airways and Talofa Airways servicing the route to Amercian Samoa have been given a restriction of 4 flights per day per airline.
The only airline servicing the Apia-Fiji route, Fiji Airways, has been asked to reduce its five flights to Apia per week, to just two.
The Australian route is not affected. Samoa’s three flights a week from Sydney remain, serviced by 2 Samoa Airways and 1 Virgin Australia flight. The two flights per week from Brisbane also remain; one per airline.
In a Government press release issued 4pm Saturday afternoon, the heightened restrictions effective 12am Monday 2nd March, are attributed to New Zealand confirming their first case of the coronavirus
“Due to New Zealand’s close proximity to Samoa and the confirmation of its COVID-19 case in Auckland New Zealand, the increased risk for Samoa has elevated from High to Very High and its impact on Samoa’s population remains catastrophic”, reads the press statement signed by Director General of Health, Leausa Toleafoa Samau Dr Take Naseri.
“The frequency of all international flights to Samoa will be reduced in our ongoing efforts to strengthen prevention of the COVID-19 entering Samoa”.
ALL Airlines:
Samoa Airways flights from;
Australia remains as 3 flights per week (Sydney 2 and Brisbane 1).
New Zealand reduce from 5 flights to 3 flights per week
Tafuna, American Samoa reduce to 4 flights per day.
Talofa Airways flights from:
Tonga remains as 1 flight per week
Tafuna, American Samoa reduce to 4 flights per day
Air New Zealand Flights from;
New Zealand reduce from 6 flights to 3 flights per week
Fiji Airways Flights from;
Fiji reduce from 5 flights to 2 flights per week
Honolulu remains as 1 flight weekly
Virgin Australia Flights from;
Australia remain as 2 flights per week (Sydney 1 and Brisbane 1)
Airlines are advised to make appropriate changes for flights into Samoa.
Airlines will be advised within 7 days for any new changes.
Other Restrictions
All Travelers entering Samoa FROM or TRANSITING through all ports (New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, American Samoa, Hawaii and Tonga) are REQUIRED to undergo medical examination by a Registered Medical Practitioner within (3) days before ARRIVAL.
This medical clearance report is required for check-in prior to issuing of boarding passes.
All other conditions as per Health Travel Advice issued Friday 28th February 2020 remain the same for all travelers.
The UPDATED TRAVEL ADVISORY FROM: Public Health, Ministry of Health Samoa issued Friday reads as follows
ALL TRAVELLERS ENTERING SAMOA MUST NOTE THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
A Special Health Declaration Form is required to be filled out by all travelling passengers inflight or on arrival in to Samoa.
Compulsory screening of all arriving passengers to Samoa is now in effect at all ports of entry.
All Travelers originating FROM or TRANSITING through;
Mainland CHINA,
HONG KONG
MACAU
JAPAN
SINGAPORE
THAILAND
SOUTH KOREA
ITALY
IRAN
KUWAIT
TAIWAN
Must spend at least 14 days self-quarantine at country of last port that is free of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus and must undergo medical clearance within (3) days prior to final route to Samoa. This must be their final stop before travelling to Samoa. All Travelers before entering Samoa are required to be tested for the Coronavirus (COVID-2019).
In the event you arrive within the 14 day period as noted above, You will be Returned to the country of last Port before arrival in to Samoa.
For more information contact Tagaloa Dr. Robert Thomsen on Phone: (685) 66503 / 7676015 or Email: robertt@health.gov.ws
