Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Instead of the initial planned flights operating two days a week, the new schedule now has three days of inter Samoa flights, while the MV Lady Naomi — for now — is still for cargo only.

The latest update on the inter Samoa travel and requirements was presented during Monday’s COVID-19 Task Force virtual news conference, where Health Department clinical service acting director, Dr. Elizabeth Lauvao explained that American Samoa will limit the number of travelers to 56 passengers — 28 travelers outbound and 28 inbound.

And the inter Samoa schedule is three days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays — including charter flights. She emphasized during the DoH presentation that travelers who do not comply with all policy are subject to fines and/ or penalties as stipulated under local law.

The initial plan, as revealed at last week’s news conference, had Wednesdays and Fridays for inter Samoa travel, but an ASG official said over the weekend that it ended up with three flights last week — including Thursday — due to demand in the number of travelers between the two Samoas, after flights had been suspended for several months.

Last week Thursday, the MV Lady Naomi was in the port of Pago Pago and one of the news media questions raised was confirmation as to whether the Samoa government-owned vessel is still carrying cargo only.

Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale confirmed it is for cargo only, following discussions between DoH and Samoa’s Ministry of Health, in which “we’ve decided to use just the air travel for passengers and Lady Naomi for cargo.”

Talauega, who is also chair of the task force, points out that this is subject to change, when things come up. “Hopefully, we’ll get to a point where we accept passengers on Lady Naomi, but not right now,” he said.

For travelers from Samoa, Talauega emphasized current requirements including that the traveler must first obtain an entry permit and OK board from the local Attorney General’s Office before the travel registration on ASG’s TalofaPass websystem.

These needed documents are then uploaded when the traveler starts the registration process on TalofaPass. Talauega said some travelers have gone on to TalofaPass to register without first obtaining the OK board and permit.

As previously announced by the task force and DoH, travelers are required to apply for an Entry Permit and OK Board (at www.legalaffairs.as.gov). All passengers must register on the ASG’s TALOFAPASS websystem https://talofapass.as.gov — five days prior to departure and upload a copy of the travelers’ COVID-19 vaccination card and valid travel documents; and the Entry Permit and OK Board.

Dr. Lauvao reiterated the travel requirements from Samoa during Monday’s news conference and noted that fully vaccinated travelers are encouraged to get the booster shot. And a negative COVID test is required 72 hours prior to departure and uploaded to TalofaPass.

Additionally the negative result must be an “official laboratory report” with Samoa’s Ministry of Health stamp because “no home tests kits” results are acceptable, according to the DoH presentation.

Furthermore, the traveler must complete the Health Questionnaire — symptom check — on TalofaPass, 24 hours before departure, as there’s no need for any other medical clearance.

DoH emphasized that the Rapid Antigen test and assessment will be conducted by a DOH physician upon arrival at Pago Pago International Airport. If the result is positive, the traveler is transferred to 5 days supervised isolation at a DoH facility followed by 5-days of home isolation. If results are negative, the traveler is directed to go home for self monitoring and daily check-in for 5 days on TalofaPass

Any travelers who enters the territory through Samoa from another country, must remain in Apia for 3 days before traveling to American Samoa.

For outbound travelers from the territory to Samoa, they must contact the Samoa Consulate General’s Office in Fagatogo or the Lt. Governor’s Office for coordination. The traveler does not need to register on TalofaPass.