PM DENOUNCES “IRRESPONSIBLE AND RECKLESS RUMOURS”
By: Nanai Taofiga Laveitiga Tuiletufuga
Rumours that some of the Samoan passengers who arrived last Friday from Auckland on the repatriation flight are suspected to have COVID-19 symptoms, have been labelled as “irresponsible and reckless,” by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
Denouncing the rumours during his Taimi ole Palemia weekly television program with TV1 last night, Tuilaepa reassured that country that he was informed late yesterday that the said rumours are lies created to cause unnecessary panic.
“There will always be people resorting to deceit and lies to defame and discredit the Government and the tarnish the work by dedicated and professional public servants,” elaborated Tuilaepa. “It’s natural for these devious minds to undermine any and all of Government’s positive achievements to suit their ulterior motives
“And to clear any doubts I have been informed by the Health CEO that initial tests after the passengers arrived have cleared all of the returning residents of any suspected symptoms,” he continued. All the necessary precautions which include daily medical check-ups for the returning residents are continuing until the 14 quarantine mandate is satisfied.”
He added that the Ministry of Health facilitated by the National Emergency Operation Center, (N.E.O.C.) continues to remain on the frontline protecting Samoa’s borders from COVID 19.
“We are as ready as we can be,” reassured Tuilaepa. “Protecting all residents from the virus remains paramount to Government.”
On a separate note, the Prime Minister also acknowledges the spiritual support from prayers by all churches and denominations which he says is the divine intervention that continues to protect Samoa from COVID 19.
On the global front, the Prime Minister noted that latest reports shows that while the pandemic appears to be slowing down, it is no excuse for Government to relax.
“There remains the chance for the virus to reach Samoa and that is the last thing we want,” he said noting that as of yesterday and based on NEOC reports, COVID 19 has claimed close to 380 thousand lives with the United States accounting for over 100-thousand fatalities or one third of the lives lost.
While there are fatalities in Australia (103 as of yesterday) and New Zealand (22 as of yesterday), the report noted the high recovery cases in both countries with no seriously critical case in New Zealand and only 3 in Australia.
“We continue to monitor the developments on a daily basis and we will continue to change our State of Emergency Orders as Government sees fit. These decisions are made all in the best interest of protecting the country from COVID-19,” he said.
In his ending remarks, he reiterated earlier calls by Health and NEOC officials not to be easily convinced with the unofficial reports and fake news littering the viral media and to seek the factual information circulated and posted on the Ministry of Health and Government of Samoa’s website and official government outlets.
