The Sinalei resort which has been shuttered until the re-opening of borders.
Photo: Dominic Godfrey / RNZ Pacific
While the tragedy of the measles epidemic of 2019 prepared the country to act fast and avert another health crisis, it couldn t prepare them for an economic one.
A year into the pandemic and Samoa is one of a handful of countries to remain free of community transmission of the coronavirus.
It was also one of the first countries to close its borders which helped prevent Covid-19 s entry according to the country s Director General of Health, Leausa Dr Take Naseri, who said, with grief from the measles epidemic still fresh, the whole country rallied.
Laauli Leauatea Schmidt
Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Tipi Autagavaia
At a roadshow this week, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi joined an appeal for members of the Falealili 2 constituency to lend their votes to the FAST party.
Tui Atua was prime minister from 1976 to 1982, and was the head of state from 2007 to 2017.
The Samoa Observer reports hundreds gathered at a church hall to hear the FAST leader, Laauli Leauatea Schmidt, outline his party s plans for Samoa.
The party was formed last year in the wake of a split in the governing party, and this week, former deputy prime minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa announced that she, too, was joining to contest April s election.
Samoan seasonal workers leave for employment in New Zealand this week
Over 700 Samoan Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme workers will depart for employment in New Zealand starting this week.
New Zealand has offered a total of 2000 employment opportunities for Pacific Island countries and workers will be ready to fly out of the country this month and all necessary preparations for the workers are well set before they depart.
Recruitment preparations includes orientation programmes to brief the workers on the regulations and work conditions, and to remind them that they represent the good image and reputation of Samoa in New Zealand.