Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga has extended the current Code Red threat level for another week — from today, Mar. 8 to Mar. 15 — reducing some restrictions, with details to be made public this week.

The governor made the official announcement during his address, delivered in Samoan, streamed on KVZK-TV Facebook, saying that he is extending Code Red for another week as COVID-19 continues to spread on Tutuila island.

He said some restrictions under Code Red would be reduced for both businesses and ASG operations.

During the COVID-19 Task Force Zoom news conference following the governor’s address, Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo V. Ale acknowledged the extended Code Red for another week as more positive cases are identified.

“We are in the early stages of the [COVID-19] surge” and “we are working to keep it under control,” he said, adding that modifications for Code Red are being finalized for reducing some restrictions, especially businesses — and will be released this week.

Attorney General Fainu'ulelei Falefatu Alailima-Utu reminded the public of current restrictions, which include business hours of operation from 5a.m. to 4p.m and that ASG is reviewing the final decision for a plan to expand operating hours for some businesses — for example gas stations.

He also said that the governor and the lieutenant governor are reviewing the StarKist request to restart its operations and it’s also being discussed with the local Health Department and federal partners — including US Federal Emergency Management officials who arrived on island last Friday on a military charter flight.

He shared restrictions being proposed, if StarKist’s request is granted. 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 social distancing of 6 feet between individuals is required, as well as daily testing for all personnel.

Fainu'ulelei said a decision on StarKist’s request is expected sometime soon.

Talauega said in a news conference last Thursday that ASG and StarKist are in discussions about restarting cannery operations — which Samoa News understands has been on shutdown for about two weeks now. (See yesterday’s Samoa News edition for details.)

Responding to the Samoa News’ request for comments and questions late last week, StarKist Co., corporate spokesperson, Michelle Faist said yesterday morning: “We have no comment at this point, but I'll keep you posted once we do.”

A media question — based on a public inquiry — was raised with Talauega, who is also the task force chair. “Now that the government is looking at lifting some restrictions for business operating hours and plans for StarKist Samoa — why not allow in-person church services with social distancing and masking restrictions?” was the query. 

Talauega responded by encouraging church services be held virtually during these challenging times. He pointed out that fish-cleaners at the cannery cannot perform their work “virtually” to complete their task, while church services can.