Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — U.S-based StarKist Co., owner of StarKist Samoa — the largest private employer in the territory — has confirmed that cannery production resumed today, Friday, after about two weeks of being shutdown, amid Code Red restrictions in the territory.

Cannery workers and/or their family members told Samoa News they were informed yesterday by StarKist Samoa management to report for their scheduled shifts today, Friday, as production resumes. Workers also said they were told they would also be working Saturday, Mar. 12.

In a media statement this morning confirmating resumption of production, StarKist Co., president and chief executive officer, Andrew Choe, expressed appreciation to Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga and his administration, and the Fono, for their leadership and support to allow StarKist Samoa to continue its planned production runs.

The statement says that StarKist Samoa can now continue its work to manufacture much-needed products to support the demands in the U.S. market and for the U.S. military.”

“This is positive news for StarKist Samoa and it could not have happened without Governor Lemanu and the ASG’s backing. We applaud their efforts to bring a positive resolution to this urgent matter,” Choe said.

“Please be assured that the safety of our workers continues to be our top priority. We are continuing to work closely with the entire StarKist Samoa leadership team to ensure that StarKist Samoa remains a safe and secure workplace,” he said.

The company didn’t share the restrictions it has put in place that allows cannery operations to resume.

During a virtual news conference on Monday this week, Attorney General Fainu'ulelei Falefatu Alailima-Utu revealed that discussions were underway with StarKist to restart production, under several proposed restrictions.

Among them, all workers are to be fully vaccinated, including with a booster shot. (Samoa News points out that fully vaccinated requirement for all StarKist Samoa employees has been in place since late last year.)

All workers must wear facemasks and maintaining social distancing of 6 feet between individuals is required, as well as daily testing for all personnel.

See Monday’s edition for updates.