The Acting Chairman of the Covid-19 Task Forcem Attorney General Fainuulelei Ala’ilima Utu has reiterated Governor Lemanu’s comments at the previous Task Force meeting to continue pushing local vaccination efforts, preparing response to community spread if it happens in the future, and exploring sustainable options for post-travel quarantine in 2022.
Charging travelers for post-quarantine costs in 2022 was mentioned as an option on the table.
“The Governor and Lieutenant Governor through the support of the COVID-19 Task Force remain committed to the safety of our community and the prevention of community spread and with God’s help those efforts have been successful,” said Ala’ilima Utu at Monday’s TF a meeting.
“While we are doing our best to prevent community spread of Covid 19 in American Samoa, if it does happen in the future, we must be prepared for it. LBJTMC must be ready to handle Covid cases that require hospitalization. DOE must be ready to implement virtual learning for students.”
There was a discussion on mandatory Covid vaccination for American Samoa Government employees to be implemented in the near future. Exceptions would be those recognized by law for physical disability, medical or sincere religious belief.
Full vaccination is already required for anyone traveling to American Samoa who is 16 years or older unless there is a showing of one or more of the three lawful exceptions.
Travelers from the October 14th flight are scheduled to undergo more COVID testing Wednesday and Thursday this week and will be discharged on Friday morning October 29th if all test results are negative.
The one positive coronavirus case is in isolation for continued monitoring. The American Samoa Department of Health has also been managing quarantine accommodations for incoming travelers from the Independent State of Samoa and Federal missions.
Some 100 travelers from Samoa are scheduled to arrive this week on Wednesday and Friday comprising of StarKist guest workers, U.S. nationals and returning residents.
