Samoa: Officials ease the COVID-19 alert to Level 1 through June 28 /update 7

Event

Officials have eased the COVID-19 alert to Level 1, the lowest in a four-tier system, nationwide through June 28. All businesses can resume their operating hours. Officials have allowed daily flights between Apia and American Samoa to resume.

Domestic Measures
Primary schools, colleges, and tertiary educational institutions have resumed on-site activities; early childhood education facilities will reopen in July. 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 may occur.

International Travel Restrictions
Most foreign nationals remain banned from entering as of May 30. 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. 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.

International entrants must 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. Officials said they planned to reopen the borders fully to all travelers Aug. 1. 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.