Samoa: Officials ease some restrictions as of May 17, maintain Level 2 alert through May 31 /update 6

Event

Samoan officials have eased some restrictions as of May 17 and extended the Level 2 alert, the second-highest level in a four-tier system, nationwide through May 31 amid ongoing COVID-19 activity. Authorities have lifted nightly curfews. Officials permit international entrants to quarantine at home for seven days and undergo supervised RAT at designated facilities on the third and seventh day after arrival; violators of the home quarantine orders may face fines of up to SAT 2,000. The government has allowed international flights to resume; Samoan citizens can enter the country for any reason. Officials also said they planned to reopen the borders fully to all travelers Aug. 1.

Domestic Measures
Authorities will allow colleges and tertiary educational institutions to reopen May 18. Wearing facemasks remains mandatory in public. Public gatherings can occur with up to 50 people indoors and 100 people outside. Children under 12 years old cannot enter public establishments until further notice.

The government allows interisland ferry services and other public transport to operate with social distancing and other measures. A heightened security presence, including checkpoints, is likely to continue in Apia and other areas to ensure compliance with regulations. Delivery and shipping delays are likely.

International Travel Restrictions
Most foreign nationals remain banned from entering as of May 17. The government approves inbound travel on a case-by-case basis; entrants must submit a request to health authorities 21 days before the planned journey. Officials have banned all passengers who have been in or transited high-risk countries like Belgium, Botswana, Eswatini, Germany, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, the UK, the US, and Zimbabwe. Travel is possible from American Samoa with permission. Authorities bar entry for anyone with a positive COVID-19 test result within six months before arrival.

Arrivals 12 years old and above must be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before entry. Passengers must provide a hard copy of their vaccination certification and medical clearance obtained within 120 hours before initial departure that states if they have had COVID-19; authorities will accept only documents in English. Travelers must also receive a negative supervised RAT result taken within 24 hours or a negative RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours before departure.

Officials will allow airlines and travel agents to resume handling flight booking reservations from May 22. Weekly flights to and from Australia and New Zealand will restart June 22.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Remain nonconfrontational if stopped by police. Plan for queues and delays at transport hubs and available shopping centers.