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Air travel to Samoa resumes next week with stringent protocols observed

TalofaPass landing page
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Health officials from the two Samoas plan to meet this coming Monday, May 2, to finalize travel policy on the inter Samoa route, which is set to resume next week with two weekly flights.

Health Department officials made the announcement on the resumption of inter Samoa air travel during Wednesday morning’s COVID-19 Task Force briefing, following a Zoom meeting earlier this week with Samoa government health officials.

A presentation at the briefing revealed that DoH and Samoa’s Ministry of Health have agreed to two flights per week on Wednesday and Friday with 56 passengers per day. And the inter Samoa two weekly flights will officially resume on May 4.

Among the requirements — so far — for entering the territory is that Samoa travelers must register on the ASG’s TALOFAPass websystem https://talofapass.as.gov — five days prior to departure and upload a copy of the travelers’s COVID-19 vaccination card and valid travel documents.

The traveler is also required to apply for an Entry Permit and OK Board (at www.legalaffairs.as.gov). An approved DoH medical clearance signed by a licensed Physician in Samoa is also required to be uploaded to the TalofaPass system.

Travelers 5 years and older must be fully vaccinated — fully vaccinated meaning 14 days prior to travel. According to the entry requirement, a Rapid Antigen COVID test will be administered at the airport four to six hours prior to departure; and quarantine of 72 hours before traveling to American Samoa is required.

For travelers entering Samoa from Pago Pago, they must apply with the Lieutenant Governor’s Office and the Samoa Consul Office in Fagatogo; and must be fully vaccinated for travelers who are 5 years and older; and Rapid Antigen COVID test will be conducted at the airport four to six hours prior to departure.

Travelers will be quarantined upon arrival in Apia for 10 days and quarantined for 72 hours before traveling to Samoa.

In Apia, the Samoa Ministry of Health announced that it has modified the “Travel Advisory for American Samoa Only” as of Apr. 27 and the advisory is for “air travel only”. Travelers are reminded that they must wear masks inflight and on arrival.

The Ministry of Health also posted on its website and social media platforms, the travel advisory notice signed by Director General of Health, Leausa Dr Take Naseri, which includes entry requirements in the Independent State and required travel documents.

According to the advisory, all passenger’s are advised to communicate straight to the Samoa Health Authorities at least 21 days before planned travel time by emailing enquiries@health.gov.ws (or samoahealth.travelenquiries@gmail.com) for clarification pertaining to this travel advise.

It also says that all travelers will be assessed on a case-by-case basis before being granted permission to travel to Samoa. A passenger holding a valid airline ticket to Samoa has been pre-approved by the Samoan Government to travel.

“Only Samoan Residents/Citizen, essential workers and those approved for medical and visa clearance are allowed to enter Samoa,” the advisory said.

It also states that all passengers entering Samoa from Pago Pago will go into quarantine for at least 10 days or as determined by the Ministry of Health — up to 21 days or more if tested positive in quarantine.

Due to limited quarantine sites and rooms available, Samoa Ministry of Health says it can only accept and accommodate a maximum of 40 passengers per week, according to the notice.