Maiava Kaiso, 66, Sataoa

The Government makes the decisions and they should do something about the sailors abroad. They are overseas asking to come home because they have no work to do. The sailors should be brought home if they have no work to do now. Help should be given to these people.

Fa'atiga Fetuli, 51, Lotofaga

The Government should help these stranded sailors and bring them home and money should be given to them as a form of assistance.

Ti'amalie Seupule Bac, 19, Falealili

Samoa is one of few countries left without a Covid-19 case and I know the Government is protecting us from it so that Samoa won't be affected by the disease. In my opinion, if these guys have been quarantined where they currently are and don't have the disease, then I don't know why they haven't been brought home yet. The Government should give them a chance to come home because their families are waiting for them. They want to come home because they fear that they might get affected by the disease. There are two people from my village who work as sailors abroad, one in New Zealand and another in Africa. We usually talk and they always say they want to come home.

Kapeli Ioane, 48, Matatufu

They shouldn't be brought home yet because our country continues to be cautious about the disease. They should wait until the Covid-19 crisis is over then they can come home. I heard that these guys are still receiving money so they are okay on the ships.

Fetu Sauiluma, 48, Lepa

They should be patient, nothing can be done because we are currently in a state of emergency so the planes can't bring them here from where they are. They should wait until the lockdown finishes so they can come home. The Government should give assistance to the sailors abroad. If they are going to come home then it is best to put them in quarantine and make sure that they don't have the disease. There are a few people in my village who are sailors and they are okay where they are staying.

Baha Otto Leaniani, 21, Tufulele

The reason why they aren't being brought home is that Samoa is cautious about the disease. These sailors are with people that are from different countries so they will easily be affected. It is difficult for the Government to bring them back home because they are worried that if they come home and bring the disease with them then it won't be long before a lot of people in Samoa will be affected. They should be patient, I am sure that they are protected if they just stay where they are and not go anywhere. There will be a right time to bring them home. I have a cousin working as a sailor on a ship in Italy and no one on the ship is affected.