Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The number of local residents stranded in Samoa needing repatriation back to American Samoa has been reduced down to just over 200, while a meeting was scheduled for yesterday to finalize the ASG repatriation plan, says Iulogologo Joseph Pereira, chairman of the government COVID-19 task force.

ASG’s repatriation proposal prompted quick criticism of the governor from American Samoans who are stranded in Hawaii and the US mainland, who say he is “ignoring” them.

At last Sunday’s task force meeting, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga announced plans to repatriate local residents stranded in Samoa after the borders between the two Samoas were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The governor instructed Health director Motusa Tuileama Nua to work with the Attorney General’s Office and other ASG officials to come up with a repatriation plan.

Based on information from the Immigration office, the governor estimated there are 300 local residents stranded in Apia, but that number has since been revised.

Iulogologo said yesterday that the revised number is now down to 206 and the repatriation plan requires the governor’s approval and a meeting was scheduled yesterday morning to finalize the plan.

Once the approval is given, an “immediate communication” will be sent to the Office of the Samoa Prime Minister in Apia, he explained.

Iulogologo said it will be up to the Samoa government whether or not to use both Samoa Airways and Talofa Airways to bring stranded passengers to Pago Pago as Samoa has their “own declaration protocols.”

Asked whether the repatriation flights would take citizens of Samoa stranded in the territory back to Apia, Iulogologo responded, “that is a decision to be made by Samoa as I don't think that the Governor would stop Citizens of Samoa returning home.”

There are many nationals of Samoa stranded here hoping to return to their home country, especially travelers who came to the territory on 14-day or 30-day permits and their permits have long expired.

The governor’s plan to repatriate local residents stranded in Samoa received swift criticism by American Samoans stuck in the US, especially in Hawaii. They took to social media to lodge their complaints towards the governor. Samoa News understands that similar complaints from the US also went directly to several ASG officials.

As for a response to the complaints, Iulogologo points out that “Samoa has no confirmed cases of Coronavirus and Hawaii is allowing mainland passengers to come into Hawaii which poses a great danger and high risk for us.”

“The medical facilities in Hawaii can address the needs of our stranded residents if something happens to them. Our acute care facility can easily be overwhelmed in the event we have a confirmed case,” said Iulogologo, who is also the governor’s executive assistant.

The governor made similar remarks in previous task force meetings after — again — requesting Hawaiian Airlines to continue the suspension of flights between Honolulu and Pago Pago until the end of this month.

“All of us have made great sacrifices to protect the lives of the residents here and it would be a shame for all the hard work to go for naught if we do allow an asymptomatic person to return home,” Iulogologo said yesterday.

“The Governor is very sympathetic and has great empathy for our residents who are stranded in Hawaii and the mainland US,” he said. “We just can't afford to take unnecessary risks as the cost will be too great.”

Hawaii health officials reported Tuesday six new cases of the virus, bringing the statewide total to 682 cases and 17 deaths.