Father and share special moment as they leave quarantine

By Talaia Mika 12 July 2020, 7:00AM

A father and son from Tufulele shared a special moment after they completed quarantine on Saturday and reconnected with families and friends.

Daniel Patelesio, a 21-year-old student at the National University of Samoa (N.U.S), and his father, Malaki Patelesio, were isolated at their residence in Vailele after touching down in Samoa from New Zealand two weeks ago.

They were among 200-plus passengers who arrived that week.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer over the telephone, the University student shared his experience of quarantine. 

“Me and my father had been in quarantine for days away from [our] families and, to be honest, it was saddening and we felt homesick just like everyone else in quarantine,” he said.

“It was hard to adapt as it was our first time being in quarantine but everything went well most especially since we tested negative [for the coronavirus] and we thank God for his guidance upon us.”

His father, Mr. Patelesio, said the most challenging part was also the sense of isolation. 

“We wanted to see our relatives so badly but we had to obey and follow through with what the Government has laid out for us in order to protect us from this health crisis,” he said.

“What’s more important is that we’re safe and nothing else matters especially now that we have reconciled with our families.”

Relatives awaiting their return was Mr. Patelesio’s other son and Daniel’s brother including their extended family.

According to Mr. Patelesio, they paid over $200 NZD for a COVID-19 test in New Zealand before they departed Auckland for Samoa.

They had travelled to New Zealand at the beginning of the year for family purposes.

After 14 days of mandatory quarantine, they were both presented with negative results at Vailele on Saturday.

They drove happily together to Tufulele on Saturday to see the relatives they had been yearning to reconnect with for so long. 

Awaiting them at home on Saturday was their family with food, smiles and tears of joy as they returned home safe and sound.

 



By Talaia Mika 12 July 2020, 7:00AM

Trending Stories

Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>