By Mataeliga Pio Sioa
Stranded Samoans in New Zealand and Australia will have to get together as citizen groups and organise their own chartered flights direct to Samoa.
All other arrangements to meet health requirements for the return home will also be a group responsibility.
Government is to encourage the arrangement as the best longterm option for all repatriation flights to Samoa with no end in sight for the coronavirus pandemic.
A repatriation flight from New Zealand next Friday 28, August 2020 will be the last for a while as the whole process of travel comes under review.
Head of NEOC, Ulu Bismarck Crawley, confirmed the new arrangement already considered by Government.
“The plan is to encourage all who wants to return home to form into groups, attend to all health requirements together, organise and pay their own costs for the chartered flight,” according to the head of NEOC, Ulu Bismarck Crawley
“Government, however, will offer support to get the group organised if needed, through Samoa’s High Commissions and Consular Offices.”
The support of families, churches and organisations are being encouraged as well.
The chartered flights are one way only to bring the stranded travellers home but will not be allowed to pick up any outbound passengers.
The emphasis is on returning citizens coming home to stay. Passengers with any intentions of sneaking in for quick return visits are at risk of getting stuck in Samoa.
“The support of our Samoan community through families and churches will give everyone involved a sense of commitment.
“It is important they take responsibility for their own protection from the coronavirus and more importantly prevent the spread of the pandemic to Samoa.”
Ulu is confident that with a clear understanding of the recommended arrangement the people will respond responsibly.
He said every person is by now fully aware of the risks and the need to take full responsibility for their own travel and protection.
An estimated 3 thousand stranded Samoan travellers were stranded in New Zealand when border travels first went into lockdown at all the ports of entry to Samoa.
Since repatriation flights started less than half that number are still left to make the return trip home.
“ But that is only in New Zealand, we have other Samoans stranded in Australia, US and around the world.
“We also have students who have completed studies as well as seafarers who have ended contracts and are stuck where they are unable to travel home.”
Ulu said finding a way to bring them home is still a work in progress with border travel restrictions in every country.
Faamolemole lava ae faafefea pe afai e nao le toatasi lava le tagata e ta te iloaina ae o lea usitaia e maua nei ia tulafono pei ona tuuina mai o le faia lea o ma test mo le corona virus.. E faamata la e taliaina la maua talosaga aua e ma te le iloaina nisi tagata(Samoan citizens)iinei Melbourne faamolemole lava..