Samoa

Travelers will be required to be vaccinated according to Samoa’s Director General of Health, Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma.

Infants aged 6 months to 15 months will need to have received a single dose of the measles vaccination before travel.

Children aged 15 months to 24 months must have completed two doses of the vaccination.

A statement issued by Samoa’s Ministry of Health said travelers will be required to complete 14 days post vaccination prior to travel to Samoa.

Organic coffee and koko samoa farmer Mele Mauala wanted to learn more about growing the fruit that is still new to her country, so she turned to an unlikely ally — Rockhampton dragon fruit farmer Gary Lee.

"Dragon fruit is a relatively new fruit to Samoa, but it's picking up speed and people are really enjoying it," Mauala said.

"It's one of the plants we'd like to see expand and grow in Samoa but, for that reason, we need to know a little bit more about it and the diversity of varieties that are available."

International interest

However, he said so far nobody had tested positive.

"We are very mindful of the fact that measles is a very infectious disease and that a few cases, in American Samoa will mean that it could easily get across the border," Aiono told RNZ Pacific yesterday evening.

"We're not going to close borders because of it but we will be requiring that anyone travelling to us that they have been vaccinated against measles and that they don't have any symptoms."

Last month, Samoa had suspected cases of measles that came back negative after blood tests were sent to New Zealand.

A statement said the Ministry of Customs and Revenue and the Ministry of Police Joint K9 Unit and Customs Officers through a joint effort with the Chief Customs Officer from the NZ Police and NZ Customs Pacific Detector Dog Program (PDDP) and Senior Customs Advisor from NZ Customs Service to combat illicit narcotics made a drug bust.

They intercepted 489.8grams of compressed marijuana (hash) at the Post Office.

The inference on the rarity of the illicit drugs in its compressed form found locally further confirms the importation of the illicit drugs from overseas.

“It is an annual event not for glorification but for solemn reflection and to remind ourselves of the preciousness of peace. We must not forget how the peace and freedoms we enjoy were won on all fronts and the magnanimity of the sacrifices made.”

Fiame recalled about honouring the tradition in Australia.

“A month ago, during my official visit to Australia, I had the honour to lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, the Director of whom is a former High Commissioner of Australia to Samoa.”

He is accompanied by First Secretary Jiang Yang, Third Secretary Yin Xiao and Interpreter/ Attaché Liu Chengyin.

Qian is in Samoa to discuss further promoting and strengthening the bilateral ties between the People’s Republic of China and Samoa.

His appointment as the first special envoy of the Chinese government on Pacific Islands affairs was announced by foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin announced in February.

During her trip, Mahuta visited the National University of Samoa.

Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa hosted a luncheon in honor of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of NZ and her delegation at RLS Museum, Vailima on Friday.

According to Fiame, Minister Mahuta's visit occurred towards the conclusion of a year-long celebration of Samoa's 60th Independence Anniversary.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Nanaia Mahuta represented the Government of Aotearoa New Zealand while the Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo, represented the Government of Samoa at the event Thursday.

According to Mulipola, this signing ceremony marks yet another milestone in the lifelong friendship between Samoa and Aotearoa New Zealand.

"I would like to recognize Aotearoa New Zealand’s continuous support in improving the social and economic benefits for Samoa," she said.

The service will cover the districts of Gagaemauga and Gagaifomauga to the east of Asau and Vaisigano, Falealupo and the Salega districts to the west.

The Samoa Observer reported the Minister for Police and Fire and Emergency Services Faualo Harry Schuster saying the expansion will provide employment opportunities for unemployed residents in the community.

He said an initiative has been proposed to train the youth from that side of Savai'i to work in the station and roll out the new service.

According to the ministry, this has always been, and remains a coordinated and highly invested multi-stakeholder effort, including the Samoan Country Liaison Officer, Samoa Head of Mission & Consulate in Australia, Government of Australia and various Australian based agencies as well as local communities.

MCIL issued a statement in light of the concerning number of unsubstantiated information about the temporary worker scheme being circulated via various social platforms.

Covid-19 pandemic and safe return home