State of emergency

This will be in accordance with amended State of Emergency Orders.

The popular indoor game will be limited to Friday and Saturday only.

Samoa’s SOE orders encourage social distancing at Bingo venues with specific times allowed on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.

Bingo on the following conditions:
i. held on Fridays and must end at 10.00pm; and
ii. held on Saturdays and must end at 5.00pm; and
iii. in observance of social distancing;

The change comes as the country marks 58 years of independence while still in a State of Emergency put in place because of the Covid-19 pandemic, of which Samoa has no cases.

This year pre-packaged segments have been aired on local television and posted on social media including a short church service, the head of state's address, and the raising of the flag by the member of the council of deputies.

Samoa gained independence in January 1962 after 40 years of New Zealand administration.

The order still applies in Tokyo, Osaka and on the northern island of Hokkaido, where new cases are emerging daily.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan's rate of infection had reduced to one seventh of the country's peak.

He urged the public to be vigilant, wear masks, and keep following distancing guidance.

"If possible, before 31 May, we would like to lift the state of emergency for the other regions as well," Mr Abe said.

The Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, in announcing the changes, said the two meter social distancing rule remains, and other state of emergency restrictions should still be adhered to.

From today, ferries between the islands of Upolu and Savaii resume and will only run four times a week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

The bigger vessel can only take 60 passengers while the smaller boats can only carry 20 travelers.

Buses can operate in the morning until 5.30pm daily and can only carry 20 passengers.

Abe will likely announce his plans to declare the emergency on Monday, Japan time, the paper said, while Kyodo news agency said new measures would likely come into force on Wednesday.

Pressure had been mounting on the government to make the move as the pace of infections continues to accelerate - particularly in the capital - even though it remains slow for now compared with the United States, countries in Europe and China, where thousands have died.

Government officials have given an update on the the Covid-19 national response, the latest health update, border issues and an essential services update.

Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said there were now 205 confirmed and probably cases, and there had been a total of 9780 tests undertaken so far.

Eight people who arrived in Auckland airport yesterday tested positive for Covid-19.

Emergency provisions issued on Friday include restricting all public gatherings in the country to no more than five people.

Public transport carrying more than five people is to be temporarily halted and nightclubs, restaurants and cinemas are to be closed.

Street vendors have been told to not operate and people aged over 60 have been told to remain at home unless seeking medical attention.

Travel to the island of Savai'i has been limited to just three days a week. Non-essential public servants are also having their hours reduced.

His Highness, the Head of State, Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II pursuant to Article 106 of the Constitution and at the advice from Cabinet approved the following orders to go into effect at 12:00 midnight Saturday 21 March 2020.

1. National fasting and prayer:
A national period of fasting and prayer is to be observed by every family in Samoa from Sunday 22 March 2020 until Saturday 29 March 2020 from 6.00am – 12.00pm daily.

The Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, announced the measures will be in effect for 14 days.

The Samoa Observer newspaper reported the order included the shutting down of the border for all except returning Samoan citizens.

There have been restrictions placed on public gatherings to a total of five.

Public transport is to be temporarily halted with nightclubs, restaurants and cinemas also closed.

Travel to the island of Savai'i has been limited to just three days a week.

Non-essential public servants are also having their hours reduced.

The cyclone which formed in Tuvaluan waters got as strong as a category three system - also affecting Fiji and Tonga.

The director of Tuvalu's disaster management office, Sumeo Silu, said based on initial reports about half of the country's population had been severely affected by the cyclone.

Food security was a major concern given ocean waves, whipped up by the storm, inundated gardens and strong winds uprooted trees and damaged banana and breadfruit trees, he said.