Air New Zealand has cut down on its Auckland-Apia weekly services from six to three effective today, 2 March, after receiving a directive sent to all airlines by the Samoan Government.

"In addition, and to comply with requests from the Samoan Ministry of Health, all passengers to Samoa are now required to carry with them a medical certificate, indicating they are well and able to travel. Customers must hold medical certificates dated within three days of booked travel. This will be required for check-in before a boarding pass is issued," the airline stated.

"While these restrictions are expected to be disruptive to some customers planning to travel to Samoa, Air New Zealand understands the request, and will do what is necessary to comply with the requirements of the Samoan Government."

This week's schedule for Air New Zealand’s Auckland-Apia route starting today, 2 March is as follows:

The airline is working through schedule adjustments for the week commencing Monday, 9 March. Air New Zealand are contacting customers directly affected by these changes and customers booked via a travel agent (including online travel agents) will be contacted by their booking agent.

Up to date information will be published on Air New Zealand’s website under the Travel Alerts [2] section and customers are encouraged to check this before calling the airline’s contact centre.

Customers can also directly message the airline through its social media [3] channels.

The COVID-19 confirned cases stands at 87,508 on 2 February 2020, according to the Johns Hopkins University [4], with deaths at 2,990, and 42,670 recovered. One person in New Zealand has now been confirmed to have COVID-19.

There have been no cases reported in the Pacific Islands.