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This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
Samoa is further restricting access by banning the entry of recovered Covid-19 travelers for six months after their infection.
In order to travel, they must pass three exams seven days apart.
In addition, they must take another Covid-19 test five days before their departure.
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GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA
Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.
The new measures come just days after Samoa banned all travelers from Great Britain and South Africa due to the emergence of the new strain B.1.1.7.
Samoa has also banned travelers from 13 countries, including Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Canada.
Pre-departure tests must take place three and five days before the trip to Samoa, and the rules also apply to flight and sea crews.
The Ministry of Health, which approves the travel requirements, also reserves the right to increase the quarantine from 14 to 21 days.
About 300 stranded Samoan sailors are expected to travel home on a special repatriation flight on January 22.
Their fate is unclear, as some of the sailors were reported to have contracted Covid-19 while stranded in Europe.
Samoa is among the few countries that remain Covid-19 free.
