Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — No exemption is being given to StarKist Samoa under provisions of the Code Red threat level as declared Monday night by Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga, after community spread of COVID-19 was detected, according to Health director Motusa Tuileama Nua, responding to a media question at yesterday’s department Zoom news conference.

Several cannery employees have raised the question with Samoa News as well as their family members whether or not StarKist Samoa would be allowed to work three-shifts under Code Red, which mandates businesses can operate only between the hours of 5a.m. to 4p.m.

And the question was raised with Motusa, who said there are no exemptions for StarKist, which is only “supposed to have essential staff” on duty to make sure their operations continue.

Asked if buses are still allowed to operate under Code Red, Motusa said that “essential busses have to run in order to take care of those people who are working.” However, the limitation is 10 passengers per trip.

Deputy Attorney General Roy J.D. Hall, who attended the news conference, shared a message for the private sector, “if you have any doubts whether or not your business falls under essential service the best thing to do is, do not open.”

And if the private sector has questions regarding essential services, they should call DoH at 219 or the Attorney General’s Office.

The governor’s current COVID-19 declaration states that when Code Red is declared:

All businesses will be allowed to operate from 5a.m. to 4p.m.

All employers, public and private, will designate essential employees who directly perform or support essential services such as those related to public safety; health; utilities; food production, distribution and sales; sanitation and laundry; port operations; and similar essential services.

And only those employees who are absolutely essential should work at their places of employment.

DoH officials shared similar information during the news conference and also reminded restaurants that take-out only is permitted while dine-in is prohibited.

After the governor announced Monday night that the territory is now in Code Red, Samoa News received word of village stores packed with customers buying food and other essentials. Rumors had people panic-buying, thinking all businesses would be closed for “lockdown”.