Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — With a measles outbreak declared in the territory, Samoa’s Ministry of Health has issued a new travel advisory for passengers from American Samoa entering the independent state of Samoa.

The new travel requirements, outlined in the advisory issued late Tuesday afternoon (American Samoa time), is effective May 01 in Samoa and Samoa officials says that their counterparts in Pago Pago were also informed of the new policy.

“With the outbreak of Measles in American Samoa, ALL travelers from the Territory —  including infants aged 6 months and above — are required to be vaccinated with a Measles containing vaccine before entering Samoa,” the Samoa government advisory says.

Infants 6 months to 15 months must have 1 dose while children 15 to 24 months old must have completed 2 doses.

According to the advisory, a legitimate vaccine certificate/ note is required before boarding and a hard copy must be presented both at check-in and upon arrival into Samoa for sighting. Vaccine certificates in electronic form stored on phones or other electronic devices must have a QR code.

“Being fully vaccinated indicates having completed the required prescribed doses as per vaccine used. All passengers should have completed 2 weeks (14 days) post vaccination prior to travel,” it says. And the vaccine certificate/Note must be a Health Authority Approved Certificate/Card of country where vaccination took place.

Samoa government warns that failure to adhere to these requirements will result in no boarding or denied entry into Samoa.

Upon arrival in Samoa, all passengers are required to wear face masks at all times and are strongly encouraged to take precautionary and preventative measures within the first seven days of arrival.

Additionally, arriving passengers must submit to a Nasal pharyngeal Swab for PCR testing upon request by Health Officials at the port of entry.

All airline crews are subject to the same requirements, according to the advisory.

“Do not travel if you feel unwell,” it says. If you are experiencing any signs and symptoms of measles include fever, dry cough, redness or swelling in eyes or eyelids or watery eyes; sensitivity to light; runny nose, sneezing, reddish-brown rash that starts from the head and spreads throughout the whole body; feeling of tiredness and body aches, and loss of appetite indicate to our port health health staff or seek medical attention immediately.”

Samoa government says that compliance of all travelers with the conditions listed “is imperative in ensuring the safety of all travelers and your families in Samoa.”