Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga yesterday announced at the opening of the 37th Legislature, that the American Samoa Government will have its first repatriation flight from Honolulu on Friday, January 29, 2021.
Those who wish to sign up for this or future repatriation flights must register on the Department of Health website: americansamoapublichealth.com
In a public announcement yesterday, the Coronavirus Task Force reminded those traveling with family members that they need only submit one application per family which lists all traveling family members.
The announcement goes on to explain that approval to travel on the repatriation flight requires all passengers departing from Honolulu to comply with all American Samoa Department of Health repatriation policies and procedures. Applicants who do not comply will be disqualified.
Individuals not eligible for the first repatriation flight include individuals who require dialysis or have other medical needs that would need medical attention outside of the designated quarantine facilities.
Those not eligible will be under consideration for future flights.
To board the repatriation flight, travelers must have a health clearance from DOH as well as clearance from the Attorney General’s office.
The release specifies a number of other eligibility requirements:
- Be a bona fide resident of American Samoa.
- Be a returning LBJ or Medicaid referral patient.
- Register on the DOH website for repatriation.
- Quarantine in Honolulu for 10 days including multiple COVID-19 tests
- Quarantine in American Samoa for 14 days upon arrival including two more COVID-19 tests.
The return flight back to Honolulu will also be used to take Medicaid referral patients and all others wishing to travel to Hawaii.
The Department of Health will handle all issues dealing with the repatriation flight from Honolulu to Pago Pago.
The Medicaid Agency will coordinate the Pago Pago to Honolulu flight as in previous medical charters.
Additional details on the repatriation flight will be forthcoming in the next 24 to 48 hours.
For repatriation flight inquiries, please email DOH at the following address: dohcovid19clearance@doh.as or call 633-5871.
For inquiries regarding the return flight from Pago Pago to Honolulu, contact the Medicaid state agency at 699-4777 or email omr@medicaid.as.gov
Read full announcement here:psa-repatriation-jan.29-and-doh-medicaid.v2
