By Martha Taumata Faavae
Stranded travelers nit-picking at the quality of accommodations and food at selected sites where they are quarantined on arrival is starting to ‘wear thin’ on the patience of the NEOC.
The co-ordinating body of all activities under the health security blanket to safeguard Samoa from the COVID 19 pandemic has been at work since March last year.
The isolation of stranded travelers on arrival home is a frontline precaution against the pandemic virus spreading from infected countries where these new arrivals come from.
A group of more than 200 stranded travellers, the bulk of them local seafarers , making their way back from Europe where they were on work contracts, are the most recent arrivals.
NEOC Chairman Agafili Shem Leo struggled with the frustrations to the seafarers complaints.
“The problem with our seafarers is they work on luxury cruise liners where the rich people are on holiday, so they have become used to that kind of lifestyle through their work,” Agafili explained.
“When they come home to Samoa and find the air condition in their hotel is not working properly or the curry and chop suey they are served with is not to their liking then they raise a stink about it.”
Agafili said the other stranded travellers before them stayed in the same accommodations and they were more appreciative to be home rather than bitch about their living quarters.
More than 4000 stranded travelers returned home on up to 19 repatriated flights since the pandemic restrictions started.
Frontline workers and all the others behind the quarantine service provided for these travellers have stood up well to the problems encountered according to the NEOC Chairman.
“Our NEOC Committee members carry out inspection visits to the quarantine sites and follow up on any complaints.
“So far we are happy that the conditions and strict behavioural rules are in place so if there are any complaints then they will need to work together to overcome any problems.”
Agafili added a stern reminder that a $2000 fine is in place for any violation of quarantine rules but urged everyone to work together.
The next repatriation flight for stranded travellers is scheduled for this month on 12 May 2021.
NEOC continues to keep strict monitor of the pandemic and react accordingly to the new health threats that are showing up in its many twists and turns.
“We cannot afford to allow our resolve to slip or weakened and to keep our faith in our efforts to keep Samoa safe.”
New variants showing up as the COVID 19 virus mutates has forced NEOC to add an additional week of quarantine stay for the new arrivals.
One of the seafarers who arrived last week is in health isolation at the TTM Hospital when his blood sample tested positive for the virus.
The traveler is the second seafarer to test positive after traveling from Italy where he was on work contract and the third after an elderly man from Australia tested positive as well.
All are however, historic cases who picked up the pandemic virus outside of Samoa and treated before returning home.
The virus was already weakened and on its way out from the medical treatment.
Agafili said health inspection visits continue to monitor the two people who were historic carriers of the virus.