Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — One new, but minor change has been made to the requirement for full vaccination for travelers entering American Samoa, through Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga’s latest COVID-19 Emergency Declaration, dated Feb. 4 and released yesterday by the Governor’s Office.

The minor change in the new declaration, which once again urged those eligible for COVID-19 vaccination to do so, is effective through Mar. 10 and states full vaccination is required prior to entering American Samoa for any person who is “5 years” or older unless the person is not medically qualified.  Previous declarations has the full vaccination requirement age at 16 years and older.

The new declaration declares that American Samoa remains under “Code Blue” with no local community transmission of the deadly COVID-19 virus, which, “poses an imminent threat to the entirety of the Territory.”

With more imported positive COVID-19 case relating to the Jan. 27 flight from Honolulu, and the respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus (RSV) outbreak, Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale was asked during last Friday’s Health Department news conference if the government will look at changing the “alert level” to the next level. Even more concerning was the 4 quarantined staff, who tested positive.

Talauega, who is the Governor’s Authorized Representative and chair of the COVID-19 Task Force responded that they will listen to recommendations from the medical community.

“Right now, in terms with the COVID-19 situation, it’s contained. We will take it day by day and actions are taken to deal with RSV as well,” he told reporters. “We’re comfortable with the procedures in place to cover the COVID-19 situation. And as long as we continue to follow those procedures, I’m comfortable with that.”

OTHER RESTRICTIONS REMAIN

The new declaration maintains and reiterates that all Executive Branch employees — including but not limited to career service employees, political appointees and contract workers — must provide to the Human Resources director evidence of having completed the full course of vaccination against COVID-19 that is approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization.

It also keeps in place all other requirements for this specific issue including exemptions from the mandate, such as medical reasons and religious beliefs.

Also maintained are current restrictions, which continue the suspension of all entry permits until further notice with the exception of Guest Worker Permits issued for employment at the cannery or a call center pursuant to local law. And the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR) has the authority to issue entry permits.

Furthermore, persons allowed to enter must register with TALOFAPASS, web system [talofapass.as.gov]. And travelers must show proof of a negative test or tests prior to arrival as required by the Health Department.

It also continues the suspension of all regularly scheduled commercial passenger flights to and from American Samoa. Additionally, the GAR may authorize limited scheduled flights or authorize flights based on the needs of the territory.

Hawaiian Airlines commercial flights between Honolulu and Pago Pago continue on a limited basis, while flights on the inter Samoa route remain suspended following confirmed COVID-19 cases in Apia late last month as a result of a passenger flight from Australia.

There were no new details re the inter Samoa flights at press time although Talauega had said during last Friday’s news conference about looking at one or two flights this week, as Samoa has resumed international flights.

Click on attachment below to download full version of the Feb. 4 COVID-19 Emergency Declaration