Apia SAMOA — Samoa's restrictions around Covid-19 safety measures have been eased with schools to re-open next week and church services permitted from Sunday.

However there are conditions with students to remain two metres apart in class and churches only allowed one Sunday service.

Samoa is the latest Pacific country to extend its Covid-19 related State of Emergency until the end of the month.

While it will continue Samoans stranded overseas will be allowed to return under certain requirements, including an official health check three days before arrival.

Returning citizens have also been advised to be quarantined in 14 days before boarding an aircraft.

They will spend another two weeks in quarantine when arriving in Samoa.

A special flight is scheduled for 19 May to repatriate passengers.

Meanwhile funerals, weddings, and birthdays are still under the restriction of a maximum of five people.

The government says the decision to maintain restrictions on those occasions was a measure to help families facing financial hardship because of people losing jobs during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Highlight of the amended orders include;

—Schools: (1) Schools open on Monday 4 May 2020, until further notice. (2) The Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture: (a) is to design and determine appropriate programs and schedules i.e. which classes to attend school on which days of the week, what programs to undertake under the modes of teaching available to MESC at the time, for all schools (church, government, private) and so on; and (b) is to, as much as possible administer the 2 meter social distancing rules. The schedules and programs under (a) are targetted to assist the Ministry’s attempts to maintain this rule. (3) Where possible, parents and guardians are encouraged to use private vehicles for the drop off and pick up of children, to discourage crowdedness at schools, bus stops and other public places. (4) There shall be no crowding in public places such as bus stops and markets by students.

— International travel, planes and ships: (1) Except in exceptional circumstances approved by Cabinet, all international travel to and from Samoa by plane are ceased. (2) The following are important under this Order: (a) For any passengers intending to travel to Samoa, the following considerations and categories of travelers are relevant: (i) returning residents and students with returning tickets; (ii) where travel permits have expired; (iii) the need for essential services for Samoa; and (iv) any other special and relevant ground for travel to Samoa. (b) The following mandatory terms for each passenger apply: (i) a COVID 19 test has been done within three (3) days before departure for Samoa; and (ii) confirmation of completion of the 14 day quarantine period, before departure for Samoa; and (iii) to be quarantined on arrival in Samoa for 14 days. (3) All boats and ships are prohibited access except: (a) for trade and petroleum; and (b) fishing boats approved for offloading, refueling and the restock of necessary supplies. (4) For fishing boats under (3)(b) the following apply: (a) a maximum of 2 boats may dock in a day; and (b) medical and quarantine requirements are to be complied with; (c) no crew member is to leave the boat; (d) boat schedules must be submitted to the Samoa Ports Authority (SPA); Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF); Ministry of Police and Prisons Services (MOPPS) and the Ministry of Health (MOH); and (e) the date of departure from the last port, or the exchange of any crew members whilst at sea, must not be less than 28 days, before arrival at Apia wharf; and (f) notification of arrival date must be received by the relevant authorities (MAF and SPA) 5 days prior; and (g) there shall be no exchange of crew members whilst as sea. (5) The Ministry of Health is to continue with the approved medical clearance of all involved.

—  Public gatherings: (1) For Church, the following applies: (a) there shall be one church service on Sabbath day (e.g. on Sunday for EFKS, on Saturday for SDA); and (b) social distancing of 2 meters is to be observed; and (c) there shall be no crowds around church buildings before and after the church service, or for any other after church activities; and (d) the church Minister (faifeau) is to ensure the 2 meter social distancing in the church is adhered to. (2) The restricted number of no more than 5 people apply to the following: (a) funerals, traditional title bestowals, birthdays, weddings; reunions; and (b) opening ceremonies for buildings (umusaga). (3) No public gathering for gaming of any kind e.g. bingo and casino is permitted. (4) For sports, non-contact sports e.g. golf, tennis, volleyball, and gym operation are permitted. Contact sports are not permitted e.g. rugby. (5) Swimming at beaches and rivers is permitted, except on Sunday. (6) All nightclubs, bars, theatres, or any other public place where people are accustomed for social gatherings, are to be closed. (7) Hotel bars may open at normal hours. (8) Restaurants are opened: (a) for dining in and take away from 6.00am to 10.00 pm; and (b) during dining, the restaurant owners are to monitor and enforce the 2 meters social distancing rule. (9) All people are prohibited from gathering at airports or wharves unless it is for permitted travel.
— Public transport: Buses and Vehicles (1) For bus transport: (a) buses may continue normal operation; and (b) no bus service is to operate on Sunday. (2) Operators of public transport that carry 5 people or less are permitted to continue operation. Ferries (3) Ferry services between Upolu and Savaii are on the following terms: (a) there shall be no ferry services on Sunday; and (b) ferry services are on Monday to Saturday, operating the normal schedules; and (c) the shipping authorities are to monitor and enforce the 2 meters social distancing rule during travel. (4) All persons 60 years and above are strongly advised to adhere with the restrictions under Order 8 (travel restricted to only if seeking medical attention). (5) A Pensioner who chooses to travel for any reason outside of those under Order 8 will not be able to use the Pension benefit of free travel.

— Markets, small shops, supermarkets, and businesses: (1) For markets: (a) the markets at Savalalo, Fugalei, Salelologa, Vaitele, Taufusi and Afega, and all other flea markets, fish market or any market which the public have access to: (i) are permitted to open from Monday to Saturday, from 6.00am – 6.00pm; and (ii) no person is to sleep overnight at any marketplace; and (b) all markets are closed on Sunday, inclusive of: (i) the markets at Savalalo, Fugalei, Salelologa, Vaitele, Taufusi, Afega; and (ii) the Fish Markets at Savalalo, Vaigaga, Fasitoo Uta, Afega, and any other roadside fish selling; and (iii) any such market where the public has access to. (2) For supermarkets: (a) from Monday – Saturday, the opening hours are from 6.00am-6.00pm; and (b) for Sunday, the opening hours are from 3.00pm-7.00pm; and (c) this rule for supermarkets does not affect small shops which may operate normal hours. (3) All businesses must close on Sunday, except: (a) small shops which may operate normal hours; and (b) the supermarkets in the restricted opening hours as stated above in (2)(b). (4) For the purposes of this Order: (a) “supermarket” is a shop where a person walks in through doors to purchase any groceries, and any other item; and (b) “small shop” means a small shop with no walk in doors, and where purchase is made through the window opening/s.

— Street vendors: (1) There shall be no selling of any goods beside roads, street, culverts or footpaths in the town areas of Apia, Vaitele and Salelologa. (2) Children selling goods in public is strictly prohibited.

— Access to Health Facilities: (1) All persons of the age of 60 and above are encouraged to remain at home and not move out and about in public, unless he or she is seeking medical attention at any health facility. (2) All persons are prohibited from accessing any health facility unless he or she is seeking medical attention at any health facility. (3) A person that is admitted to the hospital may: (i) only have one carer to tend to him or her; and (ii) only be visited by 2 people at any one time. (4) All patient care intended for travel overseas under the Samoa Medical Treatment Scheme are hereby suspended until further notice.

— Restriction for Government services: (1) The Public Service Commission (“Commission”) is to determine conditions in which employees are to continue working under, with the objective of ensuring minimal spread of infection. (2) The Commission’s conditions shall apply to all Government Ministries and Public Bodies. (3) All Government trips overseas are hereby suspended until further notice.
10. Ministry of Health duties: The Ministry of Health shall ensure to implement awareness programmes for the prevention of the spread the Covid-19.