Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate and House will hold a joint hearing today following Fono concerns over the recent imported three COVID-19 positive cases and among the witnesses is Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale, who is also chair of the COVID-19 Task Force.

The decision to hold a joint hearing was the result of a special meeting held Monday morning among lawmakers and Fono leaders, with three topics on the agenda— the first been the recent positive COVIDd-19 cases in which all three cases were returning residents of the territory that were fully vaccinated before traveling off island.

The first positive case was on the Sept. 13th Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu and the other two cases were on the Sept. 27th flight, and these two cases along with three “close-contact” passengers are currently in 14-day isolation.

Lawmakers who attended the Monday meeting say several senators and faipule have expressed “serious concerns” about reports on these positive cases.  And many have suggested going back to pre-quarantining travelers in Hawaii — as during the repatriation flights — which was eliminated when commercial flights resumed between Honolulu and Pago Pago.

At the end of Monday’s discussion, lawmakers decided to bring in members of the task force, including Talauega, who is also the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR). Also being asked to attend are physicians as well as the Medicaid office.

Lawmakers are also not happy with the ASG TalofaPass web-system, which is used to screen passengers entering the territory, which doesn’t seem to help — what with the two commercial flights importing three positive cases.

With the elimination of pre-quarantine in Honolulu before traveling to American Samoa, health officials have said that a passenger testing positive while in quarantine in the territory is expected.

The task force has touted its current protocol of three tests in Hawaii before boarding the flight to Pago Pago and quarantine upon arrival as the best way in catching the positive cases, to contain them.

OTHER TWO ISSUES

The other two issues discussed during lawmakers’ meeting on Monday:

•           the high costs of goods and a special Fono committee — made up with members from both the Senate and House — will look into this issue, as there are more public complaints about the cost of goods.

•           status of the new Fono building, which is scheduled to be completed in December 2022.