Regional
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa has declared a state of emergency which went into effect midnight March 20, 2020 Samoa time.
The Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, announced the measures will be in effect for 14 days.
The Government Press Secretariat
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media release says the order includes...
PACIFIC ISLANDS — Countries around the Pacific continue to scramble to implement measures to safeguard citizens from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Fiji has restricted entry to all travellers from the United States and Europe, including the United Kingdom, because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prime...
Apia, SAMOA —The Ministry of Health has activated a Hotline to monitor the Coronavirus at its National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) on a 24/7 basis.
The Deputy Director General for Public Health Service, Dr. Robert Thomsen confirmed that the Strategic Plan for COVID-19 is already in place with...
Apia, SAMOA — As of this Wednesday morning (Samoa time), the Ministry of Health is investigating one patient for Coronavirus (COVID-19). This is a suspected case only.
The patient was admitted Wednesday 18 March 2020, to the TTM Hospital Motootua after experiencing flu-like symptoms for 2 days....
Napier, NEW ZEALAND — A Hastings-based Samoan chief has been found guilty of 10 charges in human trafficking and 13 charges in dealing in slaves.
Joseph Auga Matamata, 65, was acquitted on one charge of trafficking.
The jury of five men and six women took seven-and-a-half hours to reach the verdict...
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND — Pacific countries have continued to introduce sweeping measures to try and offset the coronavirus.
Nauru has declared a national emergency, suspending all flights apart from a single fortnightly service to Brisbane.
All arrivals will be required to spend 14 days in...
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii now has seven positive cases of the new coronavirus, and Gov. David Ige announced Sunday that schools will be closed until March 30.
Schools were to be on spring break this week, but it’s been extended by a week to allow school leaders to prepare social distancing plans once...
HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines today announced it will temporarily suspend nonstop service between Honolulu and its Australia and New Zealand gateways starting later this month due to new government entry restrictions being imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hawaiian, which currently flies...
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND — Pacific countries have further tightened border measures to try to keep the coronavirus from gaining a foothold in the islands.
Six cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the Pacific so far - the first three in French Polynesia and, last night, three more were confirmed in...
Napier, NEW ZEALAND — The jury in the trial of a Samoan chief accused of slavery has retired to consider their verdict.
Joseph Auga Matamata, 65, denies 11 charges of human trafficking and 13 charges of slavery relating to 13 Samoan nationals between 1995 and April last year.
Summing up the case...


![[photo: Fiji Government] Fiji Airways plane on the tarmac](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_fiji_airways.jpg?itok=xaywHjda)
![Air Niugini and Fiji Airways parked at Nadi International Airport in Fiji [photo: RNZI/Sally Round] Air Niugini and Fiji Airways parked at Nadi International Airport](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_airlines.jpg?itok=4ntDUMn0)

![Joseph Auga Matamata. in court in a RNZ file photo. [photo: RNZ/ Anusha Bradley]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/matamata_human_trafficking_3.jpg?itok=7ZWunvcv)
![The Marshall Islands has banned all overseas travel by government employees and elected leaders in an effort to reduce opportunities for the importation of the new coronavirus. Pictured: Passengers boarding a United Airlines flight in Majuro. [photo: Giff Johnson] A United Airlines aircraft on the tarmac in Marshall Islands](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/united_plane_in_marshal_islands.jpg?itok=q-T2F-X8)
![Gov. David Ige of Hawaii [photo: hawaii.gov] Gov. David Ige of Hawaii](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/gov-ige-aloha-shirt-hi-res-200x300.jpg?itok=iPI4YKE2)

![Ministry of Health staff screening all arriving passengers at Amata Kabua International Airport in Majuro. [photo: Hilary Hosia] Ministry of Health staff screening all arriving passengers at Amata Kabua International Airport in Majuro.](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/webcoronavirus_screening_majuro_airport_2-29-20_hh.jpg?itok=N7cqR2gE)
![Joseph Auga Matamata, 65, denies 24 charges of human trafficking and slavery between 1994 and 2019. [photo: RNZ Pacific file photo] Joseph Auga Matamata pictured in front of his house.](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/human_trafficking_matamata.jpg?itok=ZbfPkYSe)