COVID-19 restrictions

Sir Toke - who was the island's premier from 2008 until he was voted out in June - died this week after a long illness.

Tributes have been flowing in, including from Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, current premier Dalton Tagelagi and New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern.

But Radio Niue's Esther Pavihi says the COVID-19 pandemic and border restrictions have affected funeral plans.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said upon arrival the travelers must spend 14 days in Fijian government quarantine facilities and then pass a COVID-19 test to enter society, both at their own cost or the cost of their respective government.

“As our risk assessments evolve, we may expand this arrangement to Samoa, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, “Mr Bainimarama said in a briefing in Suva today (Sunday).

Prince Joachim was issued with the penalty for failing to observe a 14-day quarantine period after arriving in the country.

The prince, 28, arrived in Spain for an internship on 24 May, but attended a gathering in the southern city of Córdoba two days later.

He has since apologised.

"I deeply regret my actions," the prince said in a statement after reports about the party emerged in Spanish media late last month. He added that he would "accept the consequences".

He has 15 days to pay the fine, in which case the amount will be reduced by half.

All sporting activities in the country were halted when Samoa's Covid-19 State of Emergency Orders came into effect on 21 March.

However non-contact sports were allowed to restart on Saturday after cabinet agreed to ease some restrictions on the population.

The Minister for Sport, Loau Keneti Sio, said it was a positive step.

The Manuma Samoa spent 14 days in self-isolation after arriving in Auckland on 16 March, following their Rapid Rugby season opener in Perth.

However, once New Zealand's lockdown was implemented and flights restricted the team was required to remain in their hostel accommodation, which they have now called home for more than seven weeks.

One of the coaching staff, former Manu Samoa captain Mahonri Schwalger, said the team has coped as best they can.

"The first week we sort of got our team training and we sort of can do whatever we can at the moment."

He stressed that a mix of social distancing, testing, contact tracing and isolation, will be crucial to further curb the spread of the new coronavirus already devastating much of the globe. 

“We’re all learning all the time and adjusting our strategy, based on the latest available evidence”, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, summarising the guidance which will be available in full on the agency’s website on Tuesday.