Samoa Shipping Corporation has advised travellers that its last ferry to Savai’i is at 12pm today.

The announcement was made at the Mulifanua wharf at 7.30am on Saturday morning as passengers prepared for the ferry to leave for the big island.

According to the SSC official who made the announcement, the country will go into a lockdown starting at 2pm on Saturday.

It is understood an emergency Cabinet meeting is currently underway to discuss the details of the lockdown with the Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa to hold a press conference at 9am this morning.

The shutdown of the inter-island ferry service comes on the back of confirmation of another 5 COVID-19 positive cases on Friday night by the Agriculture Minister, La'auli Leuatea Schmidt.

La'auli told the Soalepule programme on EFKS TV that five more passengers on a charter flight from Brisbane, Australia on Wednesday tested positive for COVID-19.

"But more details will be announced sometime soon by the National Emergency and Operation Centre (N.E.O.C.)," La'auli told EFKS TV on Friday night.

The confirmation by the Cabinet Minister puts Samoa’s total number of positive cases at 15 thus far – all of them imported cases. The infected passengers were among 73 local residents who flew into Samoa on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the S.S.C. management has advised of a revised schedule for the inter-island ferry service on Saturday, following the decision by the Cabinet on Saturday morning for the country to go into a 44-hour lockdown. 

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa announced details of the lockdown in a press conference at 11am on Saturday. 

The S.S.C. advised in a message to travelers posted on its Facebook page that the last ferry service will be at 4pm on Saturday, two hours before the lockdown kicks in. 

"We wish to inform the traveling public between Upolu and Savaii that our last trip today Saturday 22 January 2022 will be at 4pm," the S.S.C. Facebook post reads.

"There will be no trips tomorrow and Monday due to the country being on lock down for COVID-19 precautionary purposes today at 6pm until Monday 6pm.  

"We apologise for the inconvenience but thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact our main office for assistance."

• This is a developing story...