Despite quarantine requirements, passengers approved by the Cabinet to travel to Samoa may be exempt from quarantine, but on the condition he or she is a forensic pathologist and fully vaccinated.

These are some of the features of the amended State of Emergency Orders (S.O.E.) No. 77 which was assented by the Head of State, His Highness Tuimalealiifano Sualauvi II in consultation with Cabinet. 

The amended S.O.E. Orders comes on the back of an announcement by Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa on Tuesday afternoon to extend the Alert Level 2 response, for another two weeks as well as ease public restrictions. 

Part of the changes include passengers approved by the Cabinet who may be exempt from quarantine on the condition that they are a forensic pathologist and morgue technician. 

Other conditions are that the passenger produce proof before travel to Samoa that he or she has been administered with a COVID-19 immunisation vaccine, complies with all other health requirement and upon completion of post mortem examinations the passengers depart Samoa immediately. 

There are seven bodies at the national hospital morgue awaiting post mortem by a forensic pathologist, with six of the bodies connected to homicidal cases, including a decomposed body of a 14-year-old. 

Samoa does not have a forensic pathologist as required by law to carry out post mortem.

For passengers who do not fall under this category, they are still required to go into isolation and quarantine for a period, as determined by the Director General for Health. 

The order does not specify what the quarantine period is but does make reference to the Government paying for costs associated with accommodation, breakfast and lunch excluding dinner. 

For public gatherings, which includes most places accessible by the public (including beaches and swimming locations) they are permitted but restricted to no more than 50 people indoor and 100 people outdoor. Such gatherings are permitted from 6am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and 12pm to 8pm on Sundays. 

Church worship and gatherings are permitted from 6am to 8pm on any day.

In terms of public transport, there are no restriction on number of passenger on buses and taxis except that they should still comply with the health requirements of wearing face masks, adhere to social distancing protocols and display vaccination cards at all times. 

For street vendors they are now permitted to sell goods but children under 16 years of age are prohibited. 

The selling of alcohol by any business with any alcohol licence issued under the Alcohol Control Act 2020 is permitted from Monday to Saturday from 6am to 8pm. 

Schools throughout Samoa are to remain closed until further notice. 

The amended orders also include opening of all sports and recreational activities, considering the set number of people and organisers are responsible for observing and complying with measures. 

The gaming and related activities are also permitted to resume. And children under 12 years old are still banned from public places.