SAMOA’S COVID19 FREE, “NOT BY COINCIDENCE,” PM TUILAEPA
By: Nanai Taofiga Laveitiga Tuiletufuga
The country’s COVID19 free status “is not by coincidence and it happened for a reason,” replies Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi, in a press statement issued to counter concerns registered by rival political Party Leaders representing the Tautua Samoa, Samoa National Development Party, (SNDP) and FAST, the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi.
Published by the Samoa Observer newspaper, the three opposition party leaders unitedly attacked the COVID 19 SOE orders initiated by the Tuilaepa Administration.
In response, the Prime Minister issued the following press statement, published verbatim;
The COVID19 Response Approach is implemented in two phases. Prevention is the initial phase which has been enforced since March. And with the Holy Spirit’s continued blessings, Government is keeping a vigil that we would not have to implement the second phase to cure any outbreak should the virus infiltrate our borders.
Preventing any life threatening outbreak is not only cost effective but will eliminate the unnecessary loss of lives to our people than the high risks pose by treatment and cure for as a counter measure.
And we have also witness during the measles outbreak, some of our people resorted to traditional healing instead of getting their vaccination first.
Which prompts another reminder and reassurance to our people that prevention is better than the cure risk management of COVID19.
Also unlike the untimely pandemic response by other countries such as the United States, Samoa is the first country to take action in March to protect our country by shutting down our borders to keep any imported case of the virus at bay.
Our border restrictions are still in full effect with exemption to repatriation flights only for our returning residents, RSE workers and students who have completed their studies. These flights are complemented by regular cargo flights not including emergency medical evacuations.
Cargo ships are also allowed to enter our port to avoid any disruptions to our imported supplies but they are subject to strict scrutiny and regulations imposed by health and port authorities.
As for the internal SOE regulations, other countries are also imposing similar precautionary measures to reduce any unnecessary risks to their people.
I urge my political rivals to watch the world news on television if they continue to turn blind to the facts that COVID or no COVID, Samoa and the entire world is at its worse vulnerability due to the life threatening risk posed by the virus.
Government is also monitoring the possibilities of a second wave from cases which have not surfaced or detected at this point in time in any country including Samoa.
It goes without saying that we are responding as best as we possibly can.
Lest we forget also, as of today, Samoa remains unbreached and safe from the COVID19. This is not by coincidence and it happened for a reason, mostly through the whispers from the Holy Spirit which has guided the Government since we were confronted by the virus.
It is through the Almighty’s divine grace and everlasting protection that has kept Samoa safe and free from the virus.
I conclude by urging our leaders to join us in rejoicing and to return our thanksgiving to the Almighty. Let us all pray for his everlasting blessings to protect our country from the COVID19 and any threat that will jerporadise the lives and safety of our country and our people.
Soifua
Tuila’epa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi
PRIME MINISTER
