The Samoa Police Service has advised the public of new visiting arrangements for all police stations in Samoa as part of the recently declared state of emergency (S.O.E.) orders.

The new visiting and reporting arrangements will go into effect from Monday, March 23 and end April 4, 2020.

Advising the public in a post on their Facebook page, Samoa Police Services advised that anyone wishing to visit a police station during this time would have to follow certain guidelines.

The public has been advised to refrain from bringing any family members and children to a police station, unless they are needed by the Police or are victims of a crime.

If a person requests a police report then he/she is the only person permitted to visit the Police headquarters.

Samoa Police Services has also stated that any visitations to a person being held in custody will be limited to only one family member.

The payment of fines that are in relation to traffic offences has also been limited to one person. 

The Samoa Police Services has recommended that the driver, who was issued the penalty, is permitted to attend the Police headquarters to pay the fine.

The public has also been encouraged to contact the Samoa Police Services if police assistance is required.

The new arrangement comes after the Government declared the SOE last Friday banning public gatherings and control movement in a bid to address the threat posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19).