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Businesses rush to submit site safety plan in hopes of reopening

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Several plans have been approved and some businesses have reopened
fili@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The government has given the green light to a handful of businesses to re-open under the current COVID-19 Emergency Declaration restrictions, after site safety plans was approved by the Health Department, while other businesses have been ordered closed for “non-compliance”, according to ASG information available over the weekend.

Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga’s current declaration, effective Mar. 15 to Apr. 13 identified activities and businesses to be prohibited from opening — such as gyms and fitness centers; hair salons and barbershops; and recreational facilities that are open to the public

It also states that requests for exceptions should be made by submitting a site safety plan to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) email — eoc.opschief@asdhs.as.gov — or call 699-3800 extension 116. And if an exemption is granted, the EOC will provide the business with a sign that summarizes the exception that was granted.

The Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR), Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale, and Attorney General Fainu’ulelei Falefatu Alailima-Utu provided more information on exemption requests and what’s needed, during previous virtual news conferences.

And several businesses prohibited under COVID-19 restrictions have taken up this exemption request and sought approval from the government.

As of last Friday, ASG documents available show that approval has been granted to the government-owned Ili’ili Golf Course to reopen as well as four other businesses which are involved with fitness and spas. One business operation has three different locations — of which all were approved in accordance with the submitted site plan.

The documents state that a business seeking an exemption to re-open must pass site inspections by DoH and local Homeland Security Department (ASDHS). And the safety plan is to be certified by the Health director. Upon approval of the plan, a certificate of approval is issued and a memorandum signed by the Health director is provided allowing businesses to open.

As of last Friday, three businesses were undergoing their first inspection, while seven businesses are scheduled for either the first-inspection or second inspection to be carried out early this week.  Majority of these businesses are fitness centers, spas and hair salons/ barber shops.

“Businesses allowed to re-open under current restrictions must follow their approved plan, which is also monitored by the Health Department,” an ASG official involved with this process told Samoa News over the weekend. “So if you see a hair salon, barber shop, indoor gym/ fitness center re-open, don’t panic — it has been approved and issued a certificate.”

Among the requirements for a business to re-open is fully vaccinated employees and customers and a limited number of employees in the work place as well as customers. Wearing facial masks and social distancing are also requirements.

As of last Friday, ASG documents show six businesses had been closed for “non compliance” since Mar. 22. Stop orders were issued to these businesses to cease operations until full concurrence with ASG Declaration Policies.

For monitoring and enforcement — unscheduled site visits are conducted by the Inspection Team to ensure all approved exceptions are adhering to the approved Site Safety Plan procedures, according to ASG documents.