Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — To combat the spread of coronavirus into American Samoa, the Health Department under a new travel advisory — which was issued last night and is effective Mar. 9th — places new registrations on all travelers including American Samoa residents entering the territory on flights from Hawaii.

Travelers affected are those traveling from and transiting through any of the affected US states where there are confirmed coronavirus cases - Washington state, Oregon, California, Arizona, Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, North Carolina, George, Florida and Rhode Island.

These travelers will be subject to: spend 14-days in Hawaii, acquire a health clearance 3-days before entry into American Samoa; and provide itinerary at check-in counter in Hawaii and upon arrival in American Samoa.

Further travel restrictions are also placed on those traveling and transiting through foreign countries with coronavirus.

Also effective Mar. 9th, flights from Samoa will be reduced to two daily flights per airline - which are Samoa Airways and Talofa Airways. Furthermore all flights between Pago Pago and Tonga on Talofa Airways are suspended until further notice.

Additionally, all charter flights and cruise ships to American Samoa will be denied entry.

More details in tomorrow’s edition.