Among the estimated 600 people stranded off island because of the suspension of flights to prevent the entry of the coronavirus into the territory, is the wife of Governor-elect Lemanu Peleti Mauga, Mrs Ella Perefoti Mauga.
It’s unsure at this time whether the First Lady-to-be would be by her husband’s side when he takes the oath of office as the chief executive of American Samoa for the next four years, on January 3, 2021.
Mrs Mauga, who just retired from the US Army last month, had military approval to travel from Honolulu on a Coast Guard flight which arrived shortly before the November 3rd general elections.
However, Governor Lolo Moliga did not grant approval for her to enter the territory.
KHJ News understands that there were other military personnel and veterans who had been booked to travel on the same flight, who were also disapproved.
When asked about this, the chairman of the Coronavirus Task Force Iulogologo Joseph Pereira said, “Our 10th Emergency Declaration for COVID-19 restricts entry for all our residents stranded outside except workers. Based on these restrictions, the policy was applied across the board to ensure that the integrity of these policies is preserved and the principal of equity as applied indiscriminately.”
On another issue KHJ News asked the CTF Chairman if the ban on flights to and from Samoa and the Lady Naomi sailings will be reviewed if the test conducted in New Zealand of the Samoan sailor that tested positive then negative for coronavirus, yields a negative result. Iulogologo responded the “ban continues to be in effect until we hear from DOH on the results of its meeting with its Samoan counterparts on the false positive and other outstanding issues.”
Director General Of Health in Samoa Leausa Dr Take Naseri told KHJ News yesterday the result should be known sometime today.
There hasn’t been a flight from Samoa for several weeks now while the Lady Naomi has been coming every two weeks. The ferry’s sailing yesterday was cancelled because of the ban issued on Wednesday.
With the StarKist Samoa plant shutting down for the holidays next month, employees are waiting anxiously for news on air and sea transportation to Samoa.
