Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a modified COVID-19 Emergency Declaration issued yesterday, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga eliminated the three-tier color-coded COVID-19 threat levels, and lifted some restrictions, including extending business operating hours up to 8p.m.

The declaration released yesterday by the Governor’s Office, which is effective Mar. 15 through Apr. 13 — also mandated booster shots for certain first-responders and essential workers.

The governor, during his virtual address on Sunday, hinted at planned changes to some restrictions in a new declaration due to the COVID-19 surge of community transmissions.

However, he said schools and day care centers will remain closed and this was confirmed under the new declaration, which states in part that schools and colleges — both public and private — shall be closed for in-person classes — and shall be conducted remotely.

The declaration points out that the three-tier color-coded threat levels had kept American Samoa safe for two years and now is removed in entirety.

And the “approaches that we take now have to be based on the situation that we are currently facing and the knowledge that has been gained from U.S. states and territories and other nations that have suffered from community spread.”

The declaration encourages residents to get tested for COVID-19 so they can be treated if it’s medically appropriate and encourages people to get vaccinated, including a booster shot, to reduce the severity of the disease if they become infected.

"Our efforts to keep the community transmission rates to a minimum continue, and our progress moving forward could not have been possible without the coordination between our local and federal counterparts," the governor said in a news release yesterday.

"We have been preparing for this for a couple of years now. Our resilience and swift response have been delivered with the highest amount of professionalism since the surge began,” he said and thanked the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR), Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale for “his leadership and patience as we continue to work together to push forward beyond this emergency."

According to the news release, the original intent of the threat risk-level system, was to maintain the integrity of a "COVID-19 free" bubble that the Territory had achieved by aligning with strict Health Department and local Homeland Security Department protocols.

“The virus is now in the territory, and at the moment, the color code system is not practical,” it says. 

The new declaration outlines restrictions and exemptions that are now in effect, but pointed out that exceptions may be granted by the governor and lieutenant governor.

MASK USE

The declaration mandates wearing masks inside any building that is open to the public — including public gatherings or inside a building open to the public.

It outlined four exemptions to this mandate, such as children under 2-years old; and persons who cannot wear a mask or cannot safely wear a mask because of a disability as defined under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

It also says that mask that meet the N-95 or KN-95 standards “are the best masks to use.” If they are not available, surgical masks may be used. Cloth masks should only be used if there are no other options available.

PUBLIC GATHERINGS

Outdoor public gatherings are allowed if: no more than 20 people are present, mask use is required and social-distancing is maintained.

For indoor public gatherings — no more than 10 people are allowed to be present, mask use is required, as is social distancing, and gatherings are required to be held in a well-ventilated place.

CURFEW

Curfew is maintained from 9p.m. nighty to 4:30a.m. the next day. Also maintained is that buses and taxies may operate 24-hours a day — with mask use required; and gas stations may resume normal hours.

Operating hours for other businesses are now extended until 8p.m (open at 5a.m.) The exemption is for businesses providing medical or emergency services or an exception granted by the lieutenant governor through the Emergency Operations Center in writing.

WORKPLACE

Employers should maintain minimal on-site staffing and the use of remote work to the maximum extent possible “is encouraged,” according to the declaration, which outlines precautions to be taken by employers — both public and private — to protect their workers and customers.

Among them is encouraging employees to be tested for COVID-19 if they show symptoms of infection. The declaration also encourages employers to take action to keep customers from clustering near cash registers and in other locations where customers tend to gather.

For restaurants, dine-in is prohibited; take-out only is allowed.

The declaration identified activities and businesses to be prohibited from opening — bars; bingo; child care facilities; gyms and fitness centers;  hair salons and barbershops; movie theaters; outdoor fund raising activities; and recreational facilities that are open to the public

Requests for exceptions should be made by submitting a site safety plan to the Emergency Operations Center email — eoc.opschief@asdhs.as.gov — or call 699-3800 extension 116.

It also says that government agencies shall advise the public about alternative means of providing services while office staff is reduced.

QUARANTINE & ISOLATION

New provisions for quarantine and isolation state that any person who tests positive for COVID-19, should be issued a directive to “isolate for up to 21 days” — instead of the previous policy of 14 days.

 And the person testing positive is to register or be registered on TalofaPass websystem for contact tracing and/ or for daily reporting that the individual is abiding by all quarantine and isolation protocols and requirements.

Furthermore, isolation may be at the person’s home or residence or a designated quarantine facility. Isolation for more than 21-days must be authorized by the High Court.

GOVERNMENT WORKERS

The new declaration now “mandates” booster shots for certain first responders — essential workers who are eligible and not exempted.

Proof of booster vaccine is to be provided by Apr. 13 this year, to the Human Resources director for the Executive Branch or they shall be placed on leave in accordance with other provisions of the declaration, which have been in place since last December.

Employees who have been granted an exception and accommodations — according to provisions of the declaration — are exempt from receiving a booster but their accommodations should be reassessed due to the current community spread of the virus.

A booster mandate for certain first responders and essential workers who are eligible and not exempted shall include: healthcare workers; police officers; firefighters; emergency medical technicians; and employees who work at the Territorial Correctional Facility, and the Juvenile Detention Center.

The declaration calls on LBJ Medical Center to “immediately adopt a policy mandating that all eligible employees” at the hospital receive the booster shot no later than Apr. 13 — unless they have been granted an exception due to disability, pursuant to the federal Americans with Disability Act, or a valid medical reason or because of a sincerely held religious belief, practice or observance.

OTHER AREAS

All other provisions in the previous declaration remain in place as such.

Click on attachment below to download full text of declaration.