Chairman of the National Emergency Operation Centre, Agafili Shem Leo said a special request has been submitted to Cabinet to consider postponing upcoming flights from New Zealand and Australia.
He said there is a flight scheduled to arrive next week Thursday, and Cabinet has been asked to rescheduled to later date due to cases of the Delta variant which continues to increase in the said Countries.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa told the media on Friday, the NEOC has been asked to submit a proposal outlining the pros and the cons for Cabinet to make a final decision.
Agafili said another factor is the unfortunate situation, whereas one of seasonal workers escaped from the quarantine site in Moamoa.
To date 70 people that made contact with Ioane Taualamai Ponifasio have been quarantined and will be closely monitored.
Agafili during the press conference with the media on Thursday stands by their decision to release of the identity of Ponifasio.
He said after the releasing of the identity of the man that escaped is the reason their contact tracing was fast, as a couple of businesses relayed vital information and where this man visited.
Agafili said the decision to release Ponifasio’s identity publicly was not something done lightly as the safety of the country is at stake.
