The Samoa Government will enforce a two day national lockdown as it moves to increase numbers in its mass vaccination programme.
The National Emergency Operations Committee has been concerned that the expiry date for its stock of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is fast approaching and people are still dragging their feet on getting vaccinated.
Samoa Observer reports Health Minister Valasi Tafito Selesele confirmed the lockdown on Friday.
He said more details will be revealed when the government makes the official announcement.
A public notice by the National University of Samoa on Wednesday said Cabinet had declared Thursday, Sept 23 and Friday Sept 24 for COVID-19 mass vaccinations and the university will close on those days.
Figures released by the Ministry of Health show 99,163 or 81.4 percent of those eligible have had their first dose and 50,268 or 41.2 percent have been fully vaccinated.
The last time the country went into complete lockdown was during the 2019 measles epidemic to roll out a two day mass immunization programme.
