Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Health Department has updated its travel advisory and guidelines for American Samoa on travelers from Samoa, and the policy — that became effective June 28 and signed by Health director Motusa Tuileama Nua and DoH Clinical director Dr. Elizabeth Lauvao — is subject “to change based on emerging situations, the threat level of the COVID-19 and local COVID-19 situations.”

The advisory, according to DoH, is to provide requirements for inbound and outbound travelers between the two-Samoas; provide procedures to safely process incoming travelers from Samoa; utilize the ASG’s TalofaPass websystem, which screens entry into the territory; and to guide airport operations to ensure safety of personnel and reduce risk of exposure to any potential threats from COVID-19.

Under current policy, based on the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration, American Samoa limits the number of travelers to and from Samoa, up to 50 outbound and up to 50 inbound, per flight on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays including charter flights.

ASG officials told Samoa News that the latest DoH advisory and guidelines are important so that travelers to American Samoa are fully aware of current requirements, despite the easing of many local COVID restrictions. “It is a necessary advisory and updates previous important advisories, when American Samoa first issued COVID declarations in 2020,” said one official.

PRE-TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

The new travel advisory, updated three times since 2020, gave a long summary of pre travel requirements from Samoa, which all travelers must meet. For example, have a valid confirm ticket, register on TalofaPass and update copy of travelers COVID vaccination card and valid identification documents — such as a passport, Certificate of Identification, government issued form of ID - 5 days before departure.

The policy emphasized that official names and dates of birth on Vaccination cards must match official identification documents provided. (Samoa News understands that this requirement is important due to instances where the ID documents, have a different name than the one shown on the Vaccination card.)

All travelers 5 years years and older must be fully vaccinated and that “vaccine eligible travelers who have not been vaccinated due to medical conditions must provide a letter of exemption from a physician,” the advisory states.

While full vaccination is required for entry, DoH said COVID-19 booster shots are strongly encouraged for all eligible population ages 12 and above.

The advisory also states that passengers whose travel originates from the U.S and Samoa are no longer required to provided a negative PCR COVID-19 test result. However, passengers whose travel originates from outside of the U.S and Samoa “must” be in the U.S or Samoa 72 hours and complete a PCR COVID-19 test requirement to be submitted on TalofaPass prior to boarding for American Samoa.

Furthermore, all passengers who recently traveled from outside of Samoa, must remain in Samoa for at least 72 hours and post a Samoa required quarantine before traveling to Pago Pago.

Additionally, health information may be requested by DoH based on health information submitted by a traveler.

UPON ARRIVAL

The policy emphasized travelers’ requirements upon arrival in Pago Pago, such as they all are required to wear face masks at all times; all travelers or their authorized representative must sign a Directive to Quarantine/ Isolation; and must submit to a Rapid Antigen COVID-19 swab test and examination by a DoH physician at the airport.

Travelers who tested negative will be released to go home and only required to check in to TalofaPass 5 days after arrival, and are advised to seek medical attention if feeling symptomatic.

Those who tested positive, will be transferred for supervised isolation at a DoH designated facility for 5-days. Travelers will be examined by the DoH physician if there is a need for treatment with therapeutics. After completing 5-days supervised isolation, travelers will be released to continue with a 5 day home quarantine.

DoH explained that all original medical documents that are uploaded to TalofaPass will be reviewed and all luggage will be decontaminated and prepared for pick up.

OUTBOUND TRAVLERS

DoH emphasized that it is the responsibly of the outbound traveler to complete and meet the necessary requirements for entry to Samoa. And outbound travelers departing from American Samoa to Samoa do not need to register on TalofaPass at this time.

(DoH had previously announced in May that prospective travelers to Apia must register with the Samoa Consulate Office in Fagatogo, and the contact phone there is 633-5919. Only the Consulate approves passengers allowed entry into Samoa.)

PRECAUTIONS

The advisory also outlined three main precautions:

•           Prior approval of Immigration and DoH requirements must be granted before a traveler is allowed to enter American Samoa.

•           If any time an airline violates this policy by letting travelers board without DoH and Immigration prior approval, a fine or temporary suspension of flights will be imposed by ASG.

•           Any form of noncompliance with this policy or during the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration period are subject to fines and/or penalties by ASG as stipulated under local law.