Borders closed

Samoa borders closed to Australia, Fiji, US and high risk countries

The Updated Travel Advisory to this effect was issued by the Ministry of Health late last night.

The advisory states, “Entry is denied to all passengers from or transit through South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, , and Zimbabwe, United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Australia, Fiji, United States of America. They are NOT permitted to enter Samoa.”

The ministry is also reminding travellers that they “will be assessed on a case-by-case basis before being granted permission to travel to Samoa.”

Slow vax rates could see Solomons' borders closed until 2023

This was the warning from Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare this week as he reiterated the government's target of 90 percent vaccination coverage before reopening.

"By Friday of last week, only 44,613 people have completed their full vaccination, representing only 12 percent of the targeted 90 perecent coverage," Manasseh Sogavare said.

Mr Sogavare said this is despite 108,417 people having already had their first jabs.

Cook Islands closes border over re-emergence of Covid-19 in NZ

The Office of the Prime Minister said this came after concern over the re-emergence of Covid-19 in the Auckland community.

A review of the order is expected on 17 August, ahead of the next flight from Auckland to Rarotonga, scheduled to arrive in Rarotonga on 21 August.

The Cook Islands News reported the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration saying preventing Covid-19 from entering the county was a top priority for the government, and this was the appropriate response "while the source and extent of spread in New Zealand is being determined".

New Caledonia lifts remaining Covid-19 restrictions

This means that from Monday meetings of any size as well as all sports competitions are again allowed.

The wearing of masks on public transport can be discontinued and bars and restaurants no longer need to register patrons.

The president Thierry Santa said there was no local circulation of the virus and that all 21 cases were imported.

One person is still in hospital care.

The border remains closed except for flights from Wallis and Futuna which is the only French-run territory without any Covid-19 case.