Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa remains under Code-Blue — with no COVID-19 cases — under the new COVID-19 Declaration, issued yesterday by Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga, and effective for 30-days through Aug. 13th.

The new declaration, released yesterday by the Governor’s Office, keeps all current restrictions in place, including that all entry permits will continue to be suspended until further notice “with the exception of Guest Worker Permits issued for employment at a cannery or call center” pursuant to local law.

StarKist Samoa has faced worker shortages since early this year and during a press conference last month, the COVID-19 Task Force revealed that StarKist is seeking 200 workers under the guest worker permit program.

While there are no changes under the new declaration, ASG officials have pointed to important provisions that the community, including those residing off island, to which they should pay attention.

Among them, a traveler entering the territory, must register with the Health Department website — americansamoapublichealth.com — at least 10 days prior to travel and provide documents required by the Health director. All previous requirements for entry remain in affect.

For scheduled flights in and out of American Samoa, they remain suspended and the Governor and Lt. Gov. may authorize flights based on the needs of the territory.

And passengers of any permitted flight must comply with entry requirements and any additional requirements contained in the governor’s or lieutenant governor’s written authorization.

Another issue of importance that continues to surface, is that requests for transporting human remains to or from American Samoa must be submitted to the lieutenant governor and the Health Department.

And DOH will review requests prior to final approval or disapproval of the Lieutenant Governor — who is also chair of the COVID-19 Task Force and the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR).

Click on attachment below to download full text of latest declaration.