Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Speaking at Monday’s virtual news conference, Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale revealed that the government is working on a plan to provide “some sort of benefit” to workers — especially those in the private sector — impacted when businesses were closed down due to the pandemic and the plan once finalized will be presented to Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga.

Talauega’s statement was a follow up to a media question raised at last week’s virtual news conference, asking if any government financial assistance will become available for workers laid off and/ or had hours reduced due to COVID-19 restrictions. And this is particularly urgent for private sector workers forced to stay home.

Talauega — during Monday’s news conference — noted the query from last week and offered additional information, saying that ASG employees have been able to receive their pay check even during the lockdown, and even when not coming in to work.

“But the vast majority of [workers] in the private sector are not, and that is a very big concern of the governor,” he said and revealed that the “government is working on a plan to make sure that we can provide some sort of benefit to these folks who have been forced to close down their businesses and have not been able to work.”

He explained that the reasons for not discussing this matter publicly, is that “the terms of these plans are still coming together. And we hope that when it’s finalized the governor will be able to present it.”

Talauega, who is also chair of the COVID-19 Task Force, as well as the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR), called on the community to “bear with us as we maneuver through this situation and get a plan in place to provide some benefits for some of you who have not received a paycheck in awhile.”

He also says that StarKist Samoa employs more than 2,000 workers and during the first two weeks of COVID-19 restrictions, the cannery was shutdown and workers didn’t have any source of revenue.

“That’s why we worked very closely with StarKist to get them to agree to some of our requirements, so we can get their people [back to work],” he said, and noted that “StarKist is also an essential service” — as it “feeds not only the U.S. military” but federal education programs in the U.S.

“So their service — StarKist — is critical not only for American Samoa but our country,” he said.

Talauega’s further explanation on possible benefits for impacted local workers was discussed during the portion of the news conference where he provided answers to advance media questions as well as queries from reporters who joined the Zoom news conference session.

One media question, which has been raised several times in the past days since StarKist Samoa reopened production more than a week ago — is the restriction placed on conducting indoor church services while the cannery is allowed to operate indoors with hundreds of workers inside the plant.

Under current COVID-19 restrictions, church services are allowed so long as: outdoor gatherings are limited to no more than 20 people while enforcing mask use and social distancing; and indoor gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people while enforcing mask use and social distancing. Indoor gatherings must take place in a well-ventilated place. The government also encouraged virtual church services.

In response to the media question on this issue, Talauega explained that everybody who enters StarKist Samoa has to be vaccinated and pretty soon, they will all be required to get boosted. And they’re also subject to periodic testing to make sure they don’t have COVID.

“So that’s the big difference. With the churches we don’t have the ability to do that, to require the churches,” to carry out the same protocol and policy that is required of StarKist, said Talauega.

He offered that if there is a church that comes up with a plan and is prepared to check to make sure that everybody entering their church is fully vaccinated and boosted, and they can be checked, “then obviously we will work with them to make sure that they are able to have their [indoor] services.”

(New Zealand is currently allowing indoor church services, but they’re limited to a hundred people. Facial masks and social distancing are required, as well as showing your “COVID” pass, which verifies that you have been fully vaccinated (booster not included), before you enter the church area. Fines of a $1,000 or more are being levied on those churches/ congregations not adhering to these restrictions.)

He also said that “at this point, we cannot — obviously — satisfy everyone with the activities that they want.”

On the issue of ASG employees testing positive, and the numbers rising, Talauega confirmed that this is “true” and these workers are given time to isolate and stay home for the required amount of time and return to work when they have completed the quarantine period of 14-days.

“For our first responders, healthcare workers — isolation time for them is reduced to 5-days. So if you see somebody who tested positive, back working at the hospital and DoH — it’s because of that,” Talauega explained. “They will of course be tested before getting back to work.”

Given the current COVID-19 surge, it has been recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  and “our medical personnel — that the time period for the first-responders be reduced to 5-days” after testing positive, he said.

Another issue pertaining to ASG employees is whether they qualify for workmen’s compensation if testing positive and being sent to home isolation. Talauega responded that he believes this particular matter is under discussion between the Human Resources director and the Attorney General.

Furthermore, ASG employees are currently receiving their pay and have the opportunity to work remotely from home if the employee does not have severe symptoms from the virus.

The ASG “Frequent Question and Answer” document, released by the Governor’s Office on Monday this week, summarizing provisions of the governor’s current COVID-19 emergency declaration states that: “Departments and Agency Directors are responsible for minimal on-site staffing and shall advise public of alternative means of providing services while office staff is reduced. Remote work is highly encouraged.”