2020 in Samoa

Events in the year 2020 in Samoa.

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Incumbents

Events

Ongoing – COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania

January
  • 28 January – Two nationals from the country who had briefly stopped in China were placed into quarantine for two weeks at the Faleolo District Hospital.[1][2]

February
  • 9 February – Eight Samoan nationals travelling from India were denied entry into the country after catching a connecting flight in Singapore.[3]
  • 22 February – The country banned all cruise ships from visiting the country.[4]
  • 29 February – The government announced restrictions on air travel, with the frequency of international flights into Samoa being reduced from 2 March.[5]

March
  • 18 March – The first suspected case of COVID-19 was reported in the country: an individual who had traveled from New Zealand. Bodily samples from the person were taken to Melbourne for testing. In response to the case, the government required all travelers including Samoan citizens to undergo a medical checkup upon returning.[6][7][8]
  • 20 March – The country declared a state of emergency, closing its borders to all but returning citizens.[9]
  • 21 March – The Health Ministry confirmed that eight suspected cases of the COVID-19 were being tested. All of the individuals had a prior history of travel or contact with relatives who traveled abroad.[10][11]
  • 22 March – Prime Minister Tuilaʻ Saʻiele Malielegaoi announced that the first suspected case of COVID-19 had been cleared of the virus. While he confirmed that six of the eight suspected cases had tested negative for the COVID-19, they were still awaiting test results for the remaining two patients from New Zealand. That same day, Samoa also suspended air travel with Australia and restricted flights from New Zealand.[12][13]
  • 24 March – It was reported that a total of seven suspected cases of the COVID-19 were awaiting testing in New Zealand.[14]
  • 25 March – The prime minister announced that individuals that did not adhere to the COVID-19 restriction will be fined.[15]
  • 26 March – The government introduced lockdown measures including banning fishing boats from entering the country and fining businesses that breached the quarantine. Only cargo ships carrying goods and petrol will be allowed to enter Samoa.[16]

April
  • 11 April – The government passed a US$23.6 million relief package to help the country's hotel sector, which had been forced to lay-off 500 hotel workers by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]
  • 15 April – The government eased some state of emergency restrictions including reopening inter-islander maritime travel and public transportation with restrictions on operating hours and passengers. Restaurants and markets were allowed to reopen with limited hours. However, social distancing rules and other emergency restrictions remained in force.[18]
  • 20 April – Radio New Zealand reported that nearly 300 had been arrested in the country for violating the "Covid-19 State of Emergency Orders", which came into force on 21 March.[19]

May

June
  • 10 June – Prime Minister Malielegaoi announced the relaxation of lockdown restrictions on religious services, street vendors, weddings, and village matai councils. Street vendors will only be allowed to sell fruits, vegetables, cooked food and certain textiles while selling on footpaths will remain prohibited. Churches must practise two-meters social distancing but major events such as church conferences and national meetings remain prohibited. The new State of Emergency rules also allowed weddings in hotels but limited the guest list to 50 people. Market activities, beach and river excursions are banned on Sunday. There remains a five-person limit on funerals, traditional title bestowals, birthdays, reunions, and opening ceremonies for building.[22]

September
  • 11 September – Deputy Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa resigns over three proposed constitutional amendments, which would alter the power of the land and titles court. She also leaves the Human Rights Protection Party. Other MPs have already left the party over the issue and formed a new opposition party.[23]

Deaths

References
  1. "Two men in quarantine in Samoa over coronavirus fears". Radio New Zealand. 28 January 2020. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  2. "Two men in quarantine in Samoa over virus fears". The New Zealand Herald. 27 January 2020. ISSN 1170-0777. Archived from the original on 11 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  3. Dreaver, Barbara (15 February 2020). "Samoan coronavirus restrictions see eight citizens refused entry after flying through Singapore". TVNZ. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  4. "Samoa places blanket ban on cruise ship visits". Radio New Zealand. 22 February 2020. Archived from the original on 22 February 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  5. "Special health travel advisory in relation to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19)". Government of Samoa. 29 February 2020. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  6. Tamaaliii, Funefe'ai (18 March 2020). "Ministry of Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update 18/03/2020". Government of Samoa. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  7. "Coronavirus: 10–20 day wait for Samoa test result". Radio New Zealand. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  8. Tamaalii, Funefe'ia. "UPDATED TRAVEL ADVISORY NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-2019)". Government of Samoa. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  9. "Tonga and Samoa declare states of emergency because of Covid-19". Radio New Zealand. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  10. "Eight suspected cases of coronavirus under investigation in Samoa". 1 News. 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  11. Kerr, Florence (21 March 2020). "Coronavirus: Samoa tests eight suspected cases of Covid-19". Stuff. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  12. "Test for suspected Covid-19 case in Samoa comes back negative". Radio New Zealand. 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  13. Kerr, Florence (22 March 2020). "Coronavirus: Samoa suspends all flights from Australia". Stuff. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  14. "Samoa waits for seven COVID-19 tests". Radio New Zealand. 24 March 2020. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  15. "Samoa to fine people who don't adhere to Covid-19 restrictions". Radio New Zealand. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  16. "Samoa officially on lock down". Radio New Zealand. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  17. "Further plea for help as 50 hotels close in Samoa and hundreds jobless". Radio New Zealand. 12 April 2020. Archived from the original on 22 April 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  18. "Samoa eases some state of emergency restrictions". Radio New Zealand. 15 April 2020. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  19. "Close to 300 arrested in Samoa for breaking Covid-19 orders". Radio New Zealand. 20 April 2020. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  20. "Reservations about reopening borders - Samoa PM". Radio New Zealand. 14 May 2020. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  21. "Samoa dismisses 'Pacific travel bubble' as NZ won't pre-test travellers". 1 News. 13 May 2020. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  22. "Samoa further relaxes Covid-19 restrictions". Radio New Zealand. 11 June 2020. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  23. "Samoa's deputy prime minister quits cabinet over controversial bills". RNZ. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
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