The Samoa Government on Tuesday issued a special travel advisory for all incoming travellers to Samoa, alerting them to the country's health requirements and to expect changes at short notice due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The travel advise was issued on Tuesday afternoon emphasising the need for all passengers to communicate direct with the Samoa health authorities 21 days before their planned travel time, and to expect changes at short notice.

“All travelers will be assessed on a case-by-case basis before being granted permission to travel to Samoa,” the statement reads.

“Due to the current COVID-19 development and spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant in Fiji,

“United Kingdom, and Australia (NSW and Victoria) as well as the presence of the COVID-19 Delta Variant reported in over 80 countries globally with preventative lockdown measures put in place to curb the spread of the Delta Variant by some countries and states.”

The Ministry of Health (M.O.H) also emphasised for all documents to be submitted in English, while any other language will be denied boarding without exception.

“All Travellers, travelling from Fiji, Australia (NSW and Victoria States), India and United Kingdom or Countries with Widespread Transmission of the COVID-19 Delta Variant are not permitted to travel or transit directly to Samoa. 

"All are required to divert and spend 28 days or more at a country with minimal or no community transmission of the Delta Variant before travelling to Samoa.

“All Travelers including crew are now required to be fully vaccinated with the prescribed 2 doses with the exception of Janssen vaccine before entry into Samoa with any COVID-19 vaccine and preferably vaccines already pre-qualified by the World Health Organisation (AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Janssen-single dose, Moderna, Sinopharm,).”

The M.O.H. emphasised that a legitimate vaccine certificate is required for boarding and being fully vaccinated implies the completion of the required prescribed doses as per vaccine used.

According to the statement, a hard copy of vaccine certificate should be presented on arrival into Samoa for sighting and also during registration at quarantine and or isolation facilities.

“A Negative rtPCR COVID test is still required to be taken within 72 hours of departure from originating airport. The lab result must be presented in hard copy on arrival into Samoa,” the statement further read.

“Blood Serology for COVID-19 Antibody Test to be done within 7 days before departure from originating airport must be presented in hard copy on arrival into Samoa. Rapid serology tests for IgM and IgG is not acceptable. 

"Flight crews are exempted from this requirement if fully vaccinated.

“Medical Clearance signed, stamped and fully completed by a GP within 120 hours of departure from originating airport is still required. 

"The medical clearance must be presented in hard copy on arrival into Samoa."

The M.O.H. statement also pointed out that passengers who haven't been vaccinated or failed to complete the required doses of vaccination will be denied boarding.