The American Samoa Department of Health is expected to issue by tomorrow a new health advisory in response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus and extension of the continued public health emergency.
Health authorities plan to brief Governor Lolo Moliga first and get approval for some of new proposed measures before releasing the new advisory.
Meanwhile Samoa’s Ministry of Health issued this afternoon a special health advisory saying that due to NZ’s close proximity to Samoa and the confirmation of its COVID-19 case in Auckland New Zealand, the increased risk of COVID – 19 entering Samoa has elevated from High to Very High and its impact on Samoa’s population remains catastrophic.
The Samoa Government has moved to reduce all international flights entering Samoa including those from American Samoa.
Samoa Airways flights:
- from Australia remain at 3 flights per week.
- from New Zealand are reduced from 5 to 3 flights per week
- from American Samoa are reduced to 4 flights per day.
Local Samoa Airways staff say they sometimes operate 7-8 flights per day on the inter-Samoa route.
Talofa Airways flights:
- from Tonga remains at 1 flight per week and
- from American Samoa are reduced to 4 flights per day
Air New Zealand flights from New Zealand are
- reduced from 6 to 3 flights per week
Fiji Airways flights
- from Nadi, Fiji are reduced from 5 to 2 per week and
- the 1 flight per week to Honolulu remains.
Virgin Australia flights
- from Australis remain at 2 per week.
All travelers entering Samoa FROM or TRANSITING through all ports (New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Am. Samoa, Hawaii and Tonga) are now REQUIRED to undergo a medical examination by a Registered Medical Practitioner within (3) days before ARRIVAL.
This medical clearance report is required for check-in prior to issuing of boarding passes.
This special travel advisory goes into effect midnight Monday, March 2, Samoa time.
