Ads by Google Ads by Google

Gov Lemanu and Samoa’s PM agree on special inter-island flight

Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga
Source: Governor’s Office press release

A special inter-Samoa flight has been agreed upon by Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Malielegaoi for Monday, February 22, 2021. The flight will transport 29 passengers who have pending Nonimmigrant Visa applications with the U.S. Embassy in Samoa for future travel to Honolulu for medical treatment. This group will also include a CAT Scan engineer from American Samoa to help repair a CAT Scan machine at the National Hospital in Moto’otua.

Governor Lemanu and the COVID-19 Task Force intend to safely and legally assist these medical referrals and their escorts to process their Nonimmigrant Visa applications in Samoa. The goal is that these passengers disembark American Samoa on March 10th to Honolulu for further medical treatment if their applications are approved.

At this time, this is the only scheduled flight between the two islands. Further discussions and planning will be held at a later date for other opportunities to conduct future inter-Samoa flights.

The COVID-19 Task Force continues with logistical planning and coordination for this flight with the following offices and agencies, Office of the Governor, Honorable Consul General Fonoti of the Samoa Consulate, Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata’s Office, LBJ Medical Referral ASDOH, ASDHS, Port Authority, Office of Legal Affairs, Immigration Office, and Customs.

Nonimmigrant Visa applicants are required to pay their cost-share for this leg and provide negative COVID-19 test results from ASDOH before departure. This group will be exempt from quarantine requirements in Samoa but are highly encouraged to practice facemask wearing and social distancing while transiting to and from the Embassy.

Upon their return, the travelers will require mandatory quarantine and testing under the current ASDOH requirements.

The last chartered flight to Samoa for Immigrant Visa applicants and their escorts was October 2020.

For more information or questions, please contact the Emergency Operations Center at 699-3800 or email eoc.opschief@asdhs.as.gov.