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Lolo approves repatriation flights for Samoa citizens in American Samoa

Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga with Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
However, no passengers from Samoa on return flight
fili@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has granted approval for repatriation flights for citizens of Samoa stranded in American Samoa as well as the resumption of inter island cargo service between the two Samoas.

However, there are specific requirements that apply to both requests, which were made by Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.

This according to email correspondence this week from ASG Coronavirus Task Force chairman Iulogologo Joseph Pereira to Samoa’s National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) interim chairman Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo.

According to Iulogologo, the governor’s chief of staff, Fiu J. Saelua had relayed to Lolo the requests from Tuilaepa “specifically on the repatriation of Samoa Citizens still stranded here and the adverse economic impact on the shipping companies' rerouting of their voyages making American Samoa the first port of call before onward movement to the other Pacific Islands.”

Iulogologo said the governor “has granted approval on the repatriation of Samoa Citizens with the caveat that no passengers will be allowed to enter American Samoa from Samoa.”

He explained that the Samoa Airways plane stationed in Pago Pago — which is providing the territory’s domestic flights — will repatriate the Samoa Citizens and return without any passengers.

Iulogologo, who is also the governor’s executive assistant, addressed the “Prime Minister's concern over the lack of outlet for Samoa's products such as fish and agricultural produce, due to changes to shipping voyages.”

He explained the “Governor has authorized the weekly reentry of MV Lady Naomi to meet this need while we discuss with the Shipping Companies their protocols to ensure preemption of any accidental transmission.”

Iulogologo pointed out that the “scare” caused by the container vessel, Fesco Askold incident has prompted assurance of preemption of any accidental transmission. And the incident “has triggered the revision of our cargo vessel protocols,” he said.

Three of the 17 crew members of the Fesco Askold — which stopped in Samoa before heading to Pago Pago — were tested positive here upon arrival.

This incident also prompted the governor to order the suspension of all flights between the two Samoas as well as the weekly cargo service provided by the MV Lady Naomi.

Provisions of the governor’s current COVID-19 declaration state that inter Samoa flights remain suspended but this restriction will continually be reviewed depending on the COVID-19 status of both countries. “If emergency needs arise which will require special flights to American Samoa, this option will be considered by the governor and lt. governor,” it says.

It should be noted that during the repatriation flights in the previous months for American Samoa residents stranded in Samoa, some citizens of Samoa were able to return to Apia.