Governor Lolo Moliga told a cabinet meeting yesterday that he wants to keep the weekly Hawaiian Air flight for now in case of medical emergencies.
He said that he’s afraid to discontinue the weekly flight in case a patient needs to be medivaced and there’s no plane to take them.
But he said, “If worse comes to worse, we will take that step if we have to.”
The governor, while in quarantine at Government House, addressed the two hour cabinet meeting held in the Governor’s Office conference room by teleconference.
Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega, citing discussions with senators and representatives, asked the governor if US nationals, US citizens and residents traveling via Hawaiian Air be required to obtain health clearances as a condition for travel to American Samoa.
The governor responded that we should use the travel guidelines now in place and that we should be discouraging people in the US from coming.
He related that his own children living in Seattle had wanted to come here but they are living in Seattle and not residents of American Samoa.
Lolo said the only people who are issued OK boards are US nationals and citizens and legal residents of American Samoa who are returning home.
“All others should be kept out at this time,” he said.
The governor told Mauga that we should still stay with the current rules because the minute you open it up there’s no control.
Lolo said he has instructed the Attorney General to only allow returning US nationals and citizens and legal residents of American Samoa.
Eastern District Governor Alo Dr. Paul Stevenson asked about the number of people in quarantine and whether the health authorities can keep up with the task.
He said he was worried for their health, maintaining an almost 24/7 mission.
Health Director Motusa Tuileama Nua said the last several flights where all passengers were home quarantined and a few taken in for medical quarantine, he estimates an average of 240 passengers per flight.
Alo said the risk is with air traffic and there has to be a point where a call needs to be made or “we’ll be digging many graves.”
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Alo’s comments were made after the governor’s call.
