Covid-19: Samoa halts UK and South Africa arrivals

Samoa’s Ministry of health has stopped travellers from the United Kingdom and South Africa from entering the country under a new amended travel advisory for repatriation flights.

The new measure applies to passengers who transit through the two countries but all other travellers within the European and African regions will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Samoa Health Director Leausa Dr Take Naseri, left, and Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo, chair of the National Emergency Operation Centre. Photo: Samoa govt

The Director General of Health, Leausa Dr Take Naseri, in a press conference, said the ministry is closely monitoring the new variant of the Covid-19 virus detected in the UK and South Africa.

Meanwhile, Leausa said a vaccine could arrive in Samoa between March or April next year.