We are living in dangerous times so there should be no room for complacency on the path of the authorities. 

In fact when enforcing the lockdown to mitigate the threat of COVID-19 infections and to prevent further viral transmission, local authorities should be precise and everything should work in tandem.

The confusion after 6pm on Monday, when members of the public in Apia and the districts descended on local shops to replenish their stock, as Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa announced the extension of the lockdown, exposed the shortcomings of the Government’s prevention strategy.

An article (Confusion reigns, shoppers crowded shops at 6pm) in the 25 January 2022 edition of the Samoa Observer revealed the details of those shortcomings.

The Police had to let shoppers who were already in local shops after 6pm buy their groceries to replenish their stock and then return home. A lot of shops, supermarkets, fast food restaurants and bakeries informed their customers through social media they would be open at 6pm on Monday, unbeknown to them the Government’s extension of the lockdown was to take effect from that time.

Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa had called a press conference at 5pm for her special announcement on Monday to be delivered. The media representatives and the country, however, waited for more than an hour before the Prime Minister spoke and confirmed the lockdown’s extension.

So it is easy to see where the failure came from and the ripple effects it has had on officials further down the line, who are charged with the responsibility to enforce the S.O.E. Orders. 

To this day it remains unknown why the Prime Minister delayed her press conference until after 6pm on Monday. Nevertheless, a timely reminder for our leaders, to be aware of the impact of their actions and its cascading effects on the wider population.

The instructions by Government officials for reporters not to ask questions of the Prime Minister – at both last Saturday, this Monday and Wednesday’s press gathering for the special announcement – is also a cause for concern.

How can a Prime Minister of a Government not answer questions relating to the nation’s current state of affairs for which she has oversight during a pandemic? 

We appreciate that Fiame made statements last Saturday, Monday and on Wednesday as part of a special announcement to the nation, but a press gathering is incomplete without opening the floor to questions from reporters.

Inviting the media to the National Emergency Operation Centre (N.E.O.C.) for a press briefing on the status of the country’s current COVID-19 positive cases is good, but then fielding questions from the reporters is almost like passing the buck to civil servants.

Political will is crucial in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and our political leaders should be on the same page with the civil service, hence the confusion displayed by the Government on Monday was not a good start.

Having gone through two consecutive S.O.E. lockdowns over the last six days, it will be good to know what the Government’s long-term plan is, now that COVID-19 active cases in the country have doubled since the first 10 cases were detected after the arrival of a charter flight from Brisbane, Australia last Wednesday.

There are hundreds of private sector employees who could be at the mercy of their employers, following the extension of the lockdown for another 72-hours. 

The Minister of Commerce Industry and Labour, Leatinuu Wayne So’oialo, has told the Samoa Observer that under the law employers are not obligated to pay their staff during the lockdown. The affected families could face starvation and economic ruin if assistance is not forthcoming during the lockdown, though there are reports some have opted to return to their plantations to get their families fed.

The Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) Deputy Leader Lauofo Fonotoe Lauofo on Tuesday called for “clear information” and “clear decisions” from the Government on the lockdown for the benefit of the public.

We could not agree more with the sentiments expressed by Lauofo on the need for more clarity from the Government in terms of its communication strategy and decision-making processes. These are critical times and one slip can have dire consequences for citizens.