Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA —  Following a meeting with Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga over the weekend, the Health Department has added new restrictions for travelers entering American Samoa, especially those from Tonga on Talofa Airways’ two weekly flights - and travelers are now required to route through Samoa.

The updated DoH “travel advisory” dated and released Feb. 3rd states that all travelers including US passport holders and American Samoa permanent residents “transiting” through Samoa are required to spend “14-days in Samoa and acquire a health exam ONLY from the [Samoa] Ministry, 3 days before entering”.

Additionally, all travelers including US passport holders and American Samoa permanent residents “entering from Tonga on Talofa Airways are required to route through Samoa and must stay 14-days and acquire a health exam ONLY from the Ministry of Heath, 3 days before entering”.

Another new entry requirement states that “children less than 12 months are not allowed to travel”. Travelers are reminded that all entry permits adhere to a “30-day processing period”.

Furthermore, required health clearance documents for entry permits and OK board for US nationals are as follows:
• signed ENTRY PERMIT immigration form;
• health exam clearance ONLY from the Samoa Ministry of Health “3-days” before entry;
• valid copy of passport and copies of passport pages showing stamps at ports of entry and departure in the past “30 days” before arriving;
• health travel declaration form to be completed before arrival;
• proof of MMR vaccination 14 days before entry; and
• copy of roundtrip ticket

An important reminder: travelers from a country where the coronavirus has been reported must remain in an unaffected country for 14-days and obtain a medical clearance before entering American Samoa.

TRAVELERS TO SAMOA

DoH clarified and updated a new requirement for US passport holders and American Samoa residents traveling to Samoa and returning to the territory. And that is, they will “NOT be required to stay in Samoa for 14-days and acquire a health exam”. However, DoH “strongly advises American Samoa residents to acquire a health exam clearance three days before traveling to Samoa.” (As previously reported by Samoa News, the governor has designated the Tafuna Community Health Center for health exams.)

This latest update comes amidst concerns raised by local residents who were given different information by DoH and what was provided by the two airlines serving the inter-Samoa route, based on information from the Samoa Ministry of Health.

Travelers are reminded of the “Samoa requirement” that: “Travelers transiting from Hawaiian Airlines flights are required to acquire a health exam clearance 3 days before traveling to Samoa.”

OTHER REMINDERS:
• 18 years and younger must show proof of “all required vaccination”, according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines; and
• 19 years and older must show proof of MMR vaccination 14 days prior to travel date.