A new memorandum that Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga issued today spells out rules for the repatriation and Medicaid charter flights.
He instructed that passengers traveling from Pago Pago to Honolulu on future Medicaid charter flights shall not be considered priority to return on scheduled repatriation flights, the repatriation flights are specifically designed for residents stranded off island and priority will be given to those who have been stranded for the longest period of time.
The governor also explained that repatriation flights are not intended for the purpose of leisure travel and visiting family in American Samoa with the intention to return on the next scheduled Medicaid charter flights.
Outbound Medicaid charter flights are for residents seeking medical treatment in the United States and any remaining seats used by Medicaid patients will be priced using the cost share formula provided by Medicaid and sold to the public on a first come first served basis.
Passengers who are attempting to use American Samoa as a transit point to neighboring Pacific island countries will not be allowed to board the repatriation flights.
Governor Lemanu made it clear that American Samoa’s borders will continue to remain closed until Covid-19 is no longer a threat to the territory.
