The Talofa Airways flight last Thursday was a special charter request to transport seamen (special skilled workers) from Samoa for Tuna Ventures.
It was not a repatriation flight.
In response to KHJ News questions, the Emergency Operations Center explained that the request for a charter was approved by the Task Force Chairman and coordinated between the Governor’s Office and the Samoa Prime Minister to authorize the special skilled employees to enter American Samoa.
There were 5 fishermen on board the flight, all citizens of Samoa.
KHJ News asked, “What was the protocol for health clearance for the travelers from Samoa in terms of Covid-19 tests etc?
According to the EOC, the fishermen were required to submit their 72 hour COVID-19 test and Health Clearance from Apia prior to boarding the chartered flight. Further, background checks and travel documents were provided to issue OK Boards from the Department of Legal Affairs. Upon arrival at Pago Pago International Airport, the crew was transported straight to the seaport and onto the longliner that was to depart for fishing immediately.
A repeat COVID-19 test will be done upon the crew’s return from fishing. This is required for all crew (which has to be at least 14 days after departing Pago Pago with no contact out at sea). If the results are all negative, the crew will be medically cleared.
KHJ News asked about the number of travelers who returned to Samoa on the Talofa Airways charter.
According to the EOC, this was not a repatriation flight but a special charter and it was fully funded by Tuna Ventures. There are plans later in the month for another US Visa charter with repatriation of our bona fide residents by the end of this month.
Since the flight arrived on the heels of the second repatriation group from Hawaii, KHJ News asked if this wasn’t putting more pressure on demand for health personnel etc.
During a press conference last month Gov. Lemanu said that was a consideration for flights from Samoa.
The EOC responded, “In order to mitigate the strain on the Department of Health personnel especially with other important concurrent public health missions, DOH was in constant discussion with Tuna Ventures. It was agreed upon by both parties that the crew would not be housed at designated DOH Quarantine Facilities. It was decided that the crew would quarantine on the vessel for at least 14 days before returning to Pago Pago Port. During that 14 day period, the vessel could continue fishing within the Exclusive Economic Zone provided that there was no contact with other vessels. The USA flagged vessel has a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) unit onboard which would be used to determine if there was any contact out at sea.”
Since there was no publicity about the Talofa Airways flights, we asked how people who want to travel and are bonafide residents of the two Samoa, supposed to know about them?
The reply from EOC: “This was not a repatriation flight but a special charter fully funded by Tuna Ventures. However, there are plans later in the month for a second US Visa charter for medical referrals.
“Similar to the first repatriation charter for residents to and from Samoa, the Governor’s Office will continue to coordinate with the Government of Samoa (NEOC) to ensure repatriates from both Samoa and American Samoa are accounted for.”
