New emergency declaration for Covid-19

memorial-day-lemanu

A new emergency declaration for Covid-19 has been issued by Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga.

Dated May 14 it goes into effect May 18 and will be valid for 30 days. The territory remains at the Code Blue alert level, the least serious and restrictive of three color coded alert levels.

There’s a new section added to the emergency declaration concerning proof of vaccination for those entering the territory.

It says: “Vaccination is the most effective method of protecting the people of American Samoa. Everyone is encouraged to vaccinate as soon as they are eligible.

“Evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19 may be required from any person, unless that person is under the age of 16 years or the person is not medically qualified to be vaccinated, prior to

  • Entering the territory
  • Approval of immigrant status or issuance of immigration identification cards,
  • Attending K12 school in person,
  • Attending college classes in person and
  • Visiting a person at LBJ TMC, Territorial Correctional Facility, or any inpatient facility.

“When the FDA approves a COVID-19 vaccine, full vaccination of anyone eligible for the vaccine will be a condition of entry into American Samoa.”

Flights are still suspended but the governor or lt governor may authorize flights based on the territory’s needs.

Everyone entering the territory must register with the Dept of Health’s website americansamoapublichealth.com at least 10 days prior to travel and provide documents required by DOH.

The required documents are as follows:

  • Evidence of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival , evidence of having recovered from Covid-19 in the last 6 months, or proof of full vaccination prior to arrival,
  • Health clearance from a physician and travel history for the last 30 days
  • Disclose if they have ever tested positive for Covid-19 or knows that they have been in recent close contact with a person who has tested positive within the past 4 weeks
  • Submit to a quarantine of up to 15 days upon arrival in the territory unless the Director of Health or his designers determines, based on medical evidence, that the person may be released earlier

The Director of Health may modify conditions of the quarantine for workers who are here to assist with a declared emergency through the development of a Covid-19 risk mitigation plan.

Participants in repatriation and essential worker programs may have their entry requirements altered by Dept of Health.

The Director of Health may establish policies or promulgate rules to regulate conditions for entry into the territory. All policies and rules must be approved by the Governor or Lt Governor before they take effect.

Click here for the entire declaration:2021-05-14-Declaration-of-Ongoing-Public-Health-Emergency