Quarantine brawl leaves one in hospital

A brawl broke out at a quarantine site on Friday evening leaving one person in the isolation facility admitted in the Faleolo Hospital, the Samoa Observer can reveal.

The incident happened at Karl's Getaway at Moto'otua, one of the quarantine sites, between two Recognised Seasonal Employers (R.S.E.) employees who had flown in earlier the same day. 

Attempts to get an official comment from the accomodation were not successful.

But the Samoa Observer understands the brawl broke out between two roommates.  One was left unconscious on the floor, according to witnesses. The other man involved in the brawl is said to have been transferred to another quarantine site.

"We found the other one passed out on the floor bleeding from his head it seems they had been pushing each other around or maybe they threw punches," the Samoa Observer was told by one witness who declined to be named. 

"It seems his head hit something as he fell and so he was taken to the Faleolo Hospital and the other was taken to another accommodation."

Attempts to contact Police were not successful on Saturday. 

The Samoa Observer understands that more than 30 R.S.E. workers who flew in on Friday afternoon are being quarantined at Karl’s Getaway.

The Air New Zealand flight brought in 293 passengers and returned to Auckland with 29 New Zealanders bound for home.

Incoming passengers to Samoa must undergo 14 days of supervised isolation at a variety of quarantine facilities and sites including hotels. 

Some of the arrivals were granted the right to self-isolate at their own homes providing they satisfy the requirements for self-quarantine.

The Chairman of the National Emergency Operation Committee, Ulu Bismarck Crawley, said incoming passengers consisted of 235 seasonal workers and 69 returning residents.

The Samoa Observer was also told yesterday that some passengers who attempted to board the Auckland-Apia flight were kept in New Zealand for failing health checks.