Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The cost-share is set at $679 one-way for non medical patients on the Medicaid charter for Feb. 1st, which is the return flight of the first repatriation flight from the US with just over 150 local residents who have been stranded off island, and the incoming travelers will be taken directly to Tradewinds Hotel for quarantine.

Meanwhile, the Health Department has issued a health advisory in preparation for the repatriation flight to help prepare local residents.

MEDICAID CHARTER

The American Samoa Medicaid State Agency says the one-way cost-share for the Medicaid charter is $679 and this has been reduced “thanks to the generous support of Hawaiian Airlines for the discount” on this "roundtrip" repatriation and medical charter — in their effort to support American Samoa's repatriation program of stranded residents.

The outbound flight is estimated to depart Pago Pago at 3:35p.m and arrives in Honolulu at 10:05p.m. Passengers are asked to fill out the Hawaii State Travel form, which is a requirement, online (www.travel.hawaii.gov). Contact the local Medicaid office at 699-4777 if you need assistance.

For passengers on the outbound Medicaid charter and transiting beyond Hawaii to a location that requires a COVID-19 test, DoH said it would be able to support this requirement.

DoH will be conducting COVID-19 testing for passengers on the Medicaid charter on Sunday, Jan. 31st from 1p.m. to 3p.m. at the Tafuna Community Health Center.

“This is the ONLY time and date reserved for this support,” said DoH, noting that passenger must bring an ID and flight confirmation document.

Samoa News reminds travelers on future Medicaid charters of Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga’s memorandum issued this week saying that passengers from Pago Pago to Honolulu on these medical charter flights shall not be considered priority to return on scheduled repatriation flights.

Repatriation flights are specifically designed for residents stranded off island and priority will be given to those who have been stranded for the longest period of time. (See yesterday’s Samoa News edition for details.)

REPATRIATION & DOH

In its health advisory, DoH said it intends to keep the community well informed so that together “we can protect and promote our people’s health and prevent any significant devastating health events.”

For the Feb. 1st repatriation flight, DoH said passengers upon arrival will be transported to Tradewinds Hotel for quarantine and the public is asked not to visit the hotel on this date and to allow DoH staff to process incoming passengers.

“Repatriated residents will have NO physical contact with family and friends during the quarantine period,” the advisory emphasized.

Family can drop off essential supplies — change of clothes, food and drinks — and pick up parcels from repatriated passengers at the hotel’s security checkpoint, daily starting Tuesday, Feb. 2nd from 4p.m to 6p.m.

ASG officials told Samoa News earlier this week that police and other security personnel will man the security check point at the hotel, which has been closed to the public since Jan. 20th and will remain closed to the public until further notice. DoH officials said security will be strictly enforced to ensure that none of the repatriation passengers leave the premises during quarantine period.

“The best protection for you and your family as we gear up for the repatriation of returning residents, is to get vaccinated, be prepared, stay vigilant and practice healthy habits in our community,” the advisory points out.

DoH offers the following advise:

•     wear a face cover or cloth mask over your mouth and nose

•     stay 6 feet away from others (social distancing)

•     gather virtually or outdoors

•     make sure that indoor spaces are well ventilated

•     get 2-doses of COVID-19 vaccine for all eligible groups

•     continue to eat health, drink plenty of water and exercise at least 30 minutes each day.

The Tafuna Community Health Center vaccination schedule is tomorrow Friday from 8a.m. to 6p.m. Eligible age groups for vaccination are 16 years of age and older, with underlying medical conditions, who are at increased risk of serious, life-threatening complications from COVID-19.

The public is reminded that DoH is requiring that all those who visit its facilities and clinics wear face covers or cloth masks before entering. “It is a MUST to wear one,” said DoH.

For information contact DoH at 219, or 633-5871 or 633-5872

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 Task Force on Tuesday afternoon this week conducted a drill to test the readiness of American Samoa for the first repatriation flight.