SUVA, Jan 25 (NNN-PIN) – Samoa extended, yesterday, its nationwide lockdown by 72 hours, after five new COVID-19 positive cases were reported in the Pacific island country.
According to a report by the newspaper, Samoa Observer, Samoan Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, announced the five new cases in a national address, saying, the infections were detected in the frontline workers, who were monitoring 10 air passengers testing positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday last week.
The 10 people earlier found to be infected were among 73 returning residents, on board a charter flight, arriving from Brisbane, Australia.
The extended lockdown in Samoa will run until 6:00 p.m. local time on Thursday.
To enable the public in the island nation to replenish their daily life supplies, shops, money transfer services, as well as, markets, will be opened today and Thursday, during the allocated hours from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. local time.
Last Saturday, the Samoan prime minister announced a 48-hour national lockdown.
Currently, Samoa continues its Alert Level 3, in response to COVID-19 since last Saturday.
The country reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Feb, last year.– NNN-PIN
