Samoa has extended its state of emergency from 5 July to 1 August 2021.

The announcement was made on Friday through a statement issued from the Government Press Secretariat.

According to the statement, it states that at the recommendation from Cabinet, the Head of State, His Highness Tuimalealiifano Faaletoa Sualauvi II has extended the emergency orders.

The orders include all international travel to and from Samoa by plane are suspended except as provided in exceptional circumstances approved by Cabinet. 

Also, any passenger, pilot and crew members travelling into Samoa by plane must complete the Medical clearance health documentation check in form and specifically declare whether or not they have been infected with the COVID-19 virus. And must be quarantined on arrival in Samoa for 21 days or a period determined by the Director General of Health.

Furthermore, other orders include the prohibition of a person who holds more than one citizenship to use a foreign passport to travel out of Samoa, and returns to Samoa using his or her Samoan passport for a short-term trip.

However, all boats and ships and yachts are prohibited access, except: for trade and petroleum; fishing boats approved for offloading, refueling, and the restock of necessary supplies only or as approved by Cabinet for exceptional circumstances. And any other category of ships, boats and yachts for offloading, refueling and restock of necessary supplies only or as approved by Cabinet for exceptional circumstances.

The public is also advised that all gathering at the airports or wharves are prohibited unless it is for permitted travel. Failure to adhere to the orders will lead to being fined with penalties. 

More than 190 tickets for breaching state of emergency orders have been issued since the national order was first proclaimed in March of last year.

The Ministry of Police, Prisons and Corrections continues to monitor and issue warnings and penalties to individuals and businesses that breach the current state of emergency orders.   

The Government of Samoa had also emphasised in the statement that penalties for breaching the state of emergency orders, not including quarantine, are $200 for an individual and $500 for a continuous offence. 

For organisations and corporations it will be $5000 for a first offence, and fine of $7000 for a continuous offence.