Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale has again called on the community — especially businesses whose activities are prohibited under COVID-19 Emergency Declaration restrictions — for continued patience and support as the government eases restrictions going forward, with the confirmed number of positive cases declining.

Certain activities and businesses have been prohibited from reopening since the first case of COVID-19 community spread was recorded on Feb. 21 this year. And the task force, along with the Health Department, has granted approval to some of these businesses to re-open with restrictions that include mandating only fully vaccinated employees and customers inside the business establishment.

And the task force has a list of the businesses approved to reopen — such as barber shops/ hair salons, fitness centers and indoor gyms. But some in the community remain concerned as to whether the government is able to enforce restrictions in place on these businesses as well as others restrictions such as those in place for indoor gatherings for funerals.

At Monday’s COVID-19 Task Force virtual news conference, Talauega was asked whether it would be easier to open up all businesses considered prohibited under COVID restrictions, making it easier to monitor and control — in particular the barber shops and hair salons.

Talauega responded that every declaration that has come up, has slowly eased restrictions on various operations and “that’s just going to have to be the way to operate.”

“We’re not going to have a full scale opening of everything. We’re going to very slowly open a few, see what the experience is like and then we move forward,” he explained. “That’s just the caution... we have to take because of our situation in American Samoa. I want just as much as  the other person, to have these restrictions go away, have us to back to the life that we used to have. But that’s not realistic right now.”

“As much as we want to entertain all of these businesses, do all the things that we used to do, we have to be mindful that there’s still a virus out there,” he said. “And yes, we have been very fortunate to bring the numbers down, but there could be another one lurking around the corner, coming in and infecting all of us again.”

A new virus could bring more positives and more deaths, he pointed out.  “So these are the situations that your government needs to take into consideration. That’s why these restrictions are put in place,” he said.

Talauega acknowledged that it’s very difficult to enforce the restrictions. “There’s no question about that. We don’t have the manpower, we don’t have the money, but just because something is difficult, does not mean we don’t do it,” he said. “If it’s the right policy, if it’s the right thing to do, that’s what we do.”

 “And we call on the people of American Samoa to help us,” he said and recalled earlier statements when the first community spread was confirmed in February.

“This is what it looks like to live in COVID. There’s going to be restrictions on your freedoms and things that you don’t like to do, but we have to ask you to bear with us, help us — because this will help the people of American Samoa and our community to be safe,” said Talauega, who is also the Governor’s Authorized Representative.

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 declaration outlined activities and businesses that must remain closed and prohibited: Bars; Bingo; Child daycare facilities; gyms and fitness centers; hair salons, barbershops, nail salons or services; and movie theaters.

Requests for exceptions should be made by submitting a site safety plan to the Emergency Operations Center at eoc.opschief@asdhs.as.gov or (684) 699-3800 Ext: 116. “No exceptions will be granted to bars,” according to the declaration.