The streets and roads around the Samoan capital Apia were deserted on Sunday with residents staying indoors as the country went through the first day of a 48-hour lockdown.

The Government declared the two-day lockdown from 6pm Saturday, after local authorities advised of another 5 positive COVID-19 cases, to add to the 10 who initially tested positive on Wednesday. 

The 15 positive cases were part of 73 returning residents who flew into Samoa from Brisbane, Australia on a charter flight. All the passengers who tested positive have been placed in isolation units at the National Hospital, Moto'otua while the other 58 are currently in quarantine sites.

The state of emergency (S.O.E.) lockdown started at 6pm on Saturday and will conclude 6pm Monday, 24 January 2022.

Police officers were seen at various checkpoints, both in the town area and outside the capital, to ensure compliance with the S.O.E. by the public in accordance with the requirements of the Government's Alert Level 3.

While some police officers were stationed at checkpoints, some were doing foot patrols around Apia while others drove around the suburbs.

The Police acknowledged the support of the community in upholding the lockdown restrictions in a statement issued on their official Facebook page.

"While you were safe in your houses, we continue to serve and patrol around the clock for the safety of the community," the post by the Police reads.

“Let’s all work together for a safer Samoa."

The Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa in a nationwide address from her office on Saturday, following an emergency Cabinet meeting, said Samoa will go into Alert Level 3 for 48 hours.

She confirmed that five more passengers on the charter flight from Brisbane on Wednesday had tested positive for COVID-19 which brings the total number of positive cases in managed isolation to 15. 

Due to the significant number of cases for Samoa, and despite all of them being in quarantine, Fiame said Cabinet decided to exercise and impose measures that will further enhance the security and protection of everyone from the virus particularly a likely community transmission.

The Prime Minister said the lockdown will require everyone to remain at their homes except for authorised essential workers who will continue to provide crucial and necessary services to the country.

“Only authorised vehicles will be allowed on the roads during the lockdown period. All other activities such as work, schools, travels, restaurants, bars and churches will be closed," she said.

“Cabinet will carefully continue to monitor all developments during the lockdown and will make necessary amendments depending on the situation at hand.”

National Emergency Operation Centre (N.E.O.C.) Chair, Agafili Shem Leo, said in a press conference on Saturday that the measures in place for Alert Level 3 are: state of emergency restrictions.

It is mandatory for everyone to stay home; complete border closure; activation of COVID-19 Zoning depending on location of community case identified; complete lockdown of zone areas.

Other measures he mentioned include the banning of all mass gatherings; school closure; closure of all services (public and private) except for essential and emergency services; quarantine of front line and support staff; no inter island travel.

Agafili also said authorised personnel and vehicles are allowed to mobilise to deliver essential services and to respond to emergencies.

“We implore the public’s continuing support and prayers as we go through these tough times.”