By Martha Taumata Faavae
Extended opening hours for business since the easing of restrictions under the coronavirus pandemic state of emergency will remain.
Chairman of the national emergency co-ordinating body, NEOC, Agafili Shem Leo, said no new time changes have be made.
His announcement should be welcomed relief for supermarket staying open up to 10.00pm after having to cope with an early shutdown at 7.00pm.
“Serious reminder for everyone to keep to maintain our health awareness commitments like cleanliness and the wearing of face masks in public places,” Chairman Agafili urged.
The NEOC positive note should ease public anxiety at the repatriation flights for stranded Samoan travelers starting up again this month.
The chartered flight direct from the United States to return the stranded seafarers from Europe is the first to arrive this week on Friday, 22 January 2021.
The flight was rescheduled from December last year after the scare of the new variant that has emerged from the COVID-19 virus.
The seafarers are under strict instructions to adhere to the new health clearance requirements on their way home.
Chairman Agafili is keeping close watch on the growing waiting list for stranded Samoans booked on repatriation flights that was last found to be at 2000 and likely to increase strongly.
Included in repatriation flights lined up for the first quarter of 2021 are RSE workers whose working contracts in New Zealand have also expired.
Close to 900 RSE workers were last estimated to be ready for the return home.
