Samoa borders will open once eligible population fully vaccinated
Samoa's new Minister of Health said a planned travel bubble with New Zealand will not happen until the country's eligible population are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Valasi Tafito Selesele told the Samoa Observer that the latest amendments to the State of Emergency Orders was only to start the conversation.
He said the only priority now is to push for vaccinations.
The new government has targeted American Samoa and New Zealand to have a travel bubble with.
Covid-19 has claimed another four lives in French Polynesia
Covid-19 has claimed another four lives in French Polynesia, raising the death toll to 153.
432 new infections were detected since Friday as the pandemic again worsens.
While there was no Covid-19 patient in hospital in mid-July, the wards are again filling fast, with 53 patients in care and nine of them in ICUs.
There have been more than 20,000 Covid cases in the past year.
Restrictions were brought in over the weekend and may be tightened with a curfew.
Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa speaks to senior officers of the ministries under her portfolio
Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa has told senior officers of the ministries under her portfolio to perform their duties without regard for whichever political party they believe in and support.
Speaking at a special prayer meeting, Fiame said while they are from different divides of the country, public servants are the caretakers and the support arm of the government.
Samoa prime minister Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa chairing her first FAST party cabinet meeting. Photo: Eyespy Radio (Samoa) 87.5
She said public servants are chosen because they have the right qualifications to perform required duties within the public service but politicians make decisions based on advice from them.
Fiame told them their beliefs and feelings are theirs but not to let them affect how they work.
This was the first time the new Prime Minister had met management of the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Samoa Tourism Authority.
Chinese captain to face Tahiti court
The captain of a stranded Chinese longliner in French Polynesia is to appear in court next month accused of causing marine pollution.
Last month, the 40-metre long Ping Tai Rong 49 hit uninhabited Anuanurunga atoll at night while travelling from the Cook Islands to waters near Pitcairn.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Tahiti first sent a helicopter to rescue the 15-strong crew and flew them to nearby Nukutepitepi in the Duke of Gloucester Islands.
The French navy sent a team with oil spill containment barriers to the area and will send more experts this week to assess the situation.
It's not immediately known why the ship hit the atoll.