For the previous several days, Samoa has reported 597 new COVID-19 cases and three additional fatalities from the epidemic.

Samoa’s Ministry of Health verified on Saturday, according to the publication Samoa Observer, that 596 of the 597 new COVID-19 cases were community cases and one was a border case.

The additional instances boosted the overall number of community cases in the South Pacific island nation to 9,519, and the total number of COVID-19 cases to 9,592.COVID-19-related fatalities have now reached 19, bringing the total number of deaths to 19.

The Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) announced on Saturday that the country will open its borders to fully-vaccinated international travellers on July 1, with no quarantine or arrival limitations.

Vanuatu will, however, maintain some entrance rules to guarantee that visitors and residents alike are protected against COVID-19 infection when travelling inside its islands. Full immunisation, pre-departure tests, and a health clearance before to departure, as well as arrival testing, will be required.