Governor: Flights to the territory will not be stopped

lemanu-mauga

It’s been made clear. Flights to the territory will not be suspended.

Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga told a cabinet meeting last Friday that some people including leaders have suggested that flights from Hawaii be discontinued.
This follows the discovery of the first confirmed coronavirus cases in the territory. (Only KVZK-TV was at the cabinet meeting, KHJ News and Samoa News were not informed/invited to the meeting).

Lemanu said he met with Fono leaders Friday and have informed them that the flights will be continued. Suggestions for flights to be suspended were made at a joint hearing of the Fono last week.

The Governor said having been through the experience of traveling off island and returning home, he can vouch that our preparations and protocols to keep the territory safe are working.

He said the confirmed cases were identified in quarantine and there was no community spread.

Lemanu also put to rest suggestions that the territory return to pre travel quarantine in Hawaii and deflected criticisms about the TalofaPass system.

He explained that a return to pre travel quarantine will not be considered because of the cost which is $2 million per flight.

Lemanu said that from his observations the majority of travelers went off island for medical reasons, that is, medical referral by LBJ Hospital and VA, plus self funded travelers.

He said the government will continue the flights so our people can seek treatment off island and return home.

He guessed that 1 percent of the travelers are vacationers which he said the Task Force is discouraging.

Lemanu vouched for the TalofaPass system saying it is meeting the functions that it is designed to perform and the system is working.