Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Any person entering American Samoa will be required to provide two negative COVID-19 tests and be quarantined for 15 days, while all regular scheduled passenger flights to and from the territory remain suspended, according to Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga’s new COVID-19 emergency declaration, which is effective through Mar. 1st. 

Meanwhile, updated Hawaiian Airlines flight schedule information online — as of yesterday morning — shows that air service for American Samoa “is suspended through April 30, 2021.”

Samoa News points out that ASG has started repatriation flights from the U.S. with the first one arriving this afternoon from Honolulu.

ENTERING THE TERRITORY

Lemanu’s new declaration, released Saturday night by the Governor’s Office to cabinet members, the news media and others, notes that American Samoa remains under Code Blue — meaning no COVID-19 cases.

There are a few changes and new provisions added to this most recent declaration, which supersedes the document the governor issued on Jan. 3rd.

One of the changes on the new declaration deals with any person entering the territory. It says that the traveler is to contact the Health Department at least 10-days prior to travel and provide the documentation required by the Health director.

Additionally, provide DoH with proof of two negative COVID-19 tests: one when the traveler first contacts DoH and one within 72 hours of travel.

Upon arrival in the territory the traveler submits to a 15-day quarantine period, unless the Health director or his designee determines, based on medical evidence, that the person may be released earlier.

For workers entering the territory to assist with the Public Health Emergency, the Health director may modify conditions of their quarantine and participants in repatriation programs may be required to fulfill additional requirements.

According to the new declaration, the Health director may establish policies, or promulgate rules to regulation conditions for entry into the territory and all policies and rules must be approved by the governor before they take effect.

FLIGHTS

Previous declarations, including the first-one issued by Lemanu on Jan. 3rd, separated flight declarations for the two Samoas and Hawaiian Airlines. But under the new declaration, it just simply says that that regular scheduled passenger flights to and from American Samoa “are suspended”.

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor may authorize flights based on the needs of the territory and passengers of any permitted flight must comply with entry requirements listed here and any additional requirements contained in the governor’s or lieutenant governor’s written authorization.

PUBLIC GATHERINGS AND BUSINESSES

Public gatherings, including religious worship is allowed from 5a.m. to 12 midnight, which is also the operating hours for businesses. Bingo games for fundraising purposes remain suspended.

However, “StarKist and its direct documented business affiliates, water production, and oxygen gas production are exempted under Code Blue,” according to the declaration, which states that further advisories will be issued from the governor that may adjust restrictions on businesses as necessary.

For public transportation — taxis and aiga buses — operating hours remain from 5a.m. to 12 midnight, except for buses under contract with StarKist.  The declaration emphasized that during operating hours, taxis and buses must institute social distancing practices.

QUARANTINED PASSENGERS

The declaration points to the provision of local laws — A.S.C.A 13.0215 (d)(3) — regarding quarantine and isolation, which is “suspended in part”. The declaration states that the Health director is authorized to quarantine or isolate individuals entering the territory “for 15-days without notice”. 

However, authorization is required by the High Court of American Samoa if the quarantine period is more than 15-days.

“The Health director will notified the Attorney General if he believes that a person will need to be quarantined or isolated for more than 14-days,” according to the declaration, which also says that unauthorized entry into quarantine sites is prohibited and any person entering quarantine without DoH permission may be quarantined.

ASG AGENCIES

According to the declaration, ASG departments, agencies and offices may promulgate emergency rules in accordance with established law and the Administrative Procedures Act. Emergency rules will be submitted to the governor prior to promulgation.

Click on attachment below to download complete text of the declaration