No Decision on Repatriation Flight, DOH Presents Plan

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The Department of Health laid out a preliminary plan for a repatriation flight to bring residents who have been stranded in Hawaii and the mainland, at a cabinet meeting today at the American Samoa Community College.

No decision has been made however as to whether or not a repatriation flight from Hawaii will be allowed.

Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua said that there are about 400 residents stranded off island including about 80 elderly mothers and father. The general outline of the plan he presented called for a 10-day quarantine period at selected hotels in Hawaii with COVID-19 testing provided for all travelers. Upon arrival here all travelers will be in quarantine for 14 days.

The Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA) is helping DOH with making arrangements in Honolulu for all testing and travel procedures to ensure that travelers meet health requirements before boarding the aircraft for American Samoa.

A website is being set up where all those intending to come on the repatriation flights will sign up. The address is: americansamoapublichealth.com

The site is developed by a US company that provides website services for hospitals and medical institutions.

The first priority for the repatriation flight or flights is professionals, and according to the Health Director there are 3 DOH medical personnel stuck off island. After them then the rest of the stranded passengers, who register at the official website will be accepted for the flights on a first come first served basis. Motusa said many of the people stranded have return tickets but that doesn’t mean they will be able to travel on the repatriation flight. They have to first register on the website.

Governor Lolo Moliga said after the DOH presentation that this plan should’ve been vetted by the Coronavirus Task Force first before it is made public.

Again a decision on a repatriation flight or flights from Honolulu has not been made.

 

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