(Press Release)….On Monday, March 14, 2022, Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga issued a modified Emergency Declaration for the Territory due to the ongoing COVID-19 community transmission surge.
“Our efforts to keep the community transmission rates to a minimum continue, and our progress moving forward could not have been possible without the coordination between our local and federal counterparts,” stated Governor Lemanu. He continued, “We have been preparing for this for a couple of years now. Our resilience and swift response have been delivered with the highest amount of professionalism since the surge began. I thank the GAR for his leadership and patience as we continue to work together to push forward beyond this emergency.”
This iteration of the emergency declaration has taken into consideration the constant change in circumstances since the Territory has observed the recent lockdown to prevent any further transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
The color code risk level system has been removed entirely. The system’s original intent was to maintain the integrity of a “COVID-19 free” bubble that the Territory had achieved by aligning with strict ASDOH and ASDHS protocols. The virus is now in the Territory, and at the moment, the color code system is not practical.
The declaration is organized further into seven (7) sections: Mask Use, Public Gatherings, Curfew, Workplaces, Quarantine and Isolation, Entry Requirements, Government Employee Vaccine Mandate, Price Gouging Prohibited, Transporting Human Remains, Emergency Reciprocity for Medical Assistance from Outside the Territory, Emergency Rulemaking, and Enforcement.
The following are some of the significant changes in this order;
1. The mask mandate remains the same.
2. Public gatherings are open to a maximum of 20 people, and substantial restrictions remain.
3. The 9 pm curfew is still in effect, and businesses can remain open until 8 pm.
4. Workplaces
● Minimal staffing in workplaces is encouraged.
● Mandates requirements for businesses.
● Keeps daycares, schools, and colleges closed.
● Keeps visitation for the Hope House, LBJ, and TMC closed.
● Restaurants are still takeout only.
● There are no more essential and non-essential businesses. The following are “types of businesses” that remain closed and prohibited.
● (1) Bars;
● (2) Bingo;
● (3) Child daycare facilities;
● (4) Gyms and fitness centers;
● (5) Hair salons, barbershops, nail salons or services;
● (6) Movie theaters;
● (7) Outdoor fundraising activities; and
● (8) Recreational facilities that are open to the public.
5. People who test positive for COVID-19 should be served with an isolation order and register with TALOFAPASS.
6. COVID-19 booster shots are mandated for certain first responders and essential workers who are eligible and not exempted to include:
a. Healthcare workers;
b. Police officers;
c. Firefighters;
d. Emergency Medical Technicians; and
e. Employees who work at the Tafuna Correctional Facility, and the Juvenile Detention Center.
This Declaration Of Ongoing Public Health Emergency And State Of Emergency will be in effect on March 15, 2022, and expire on April 13, 2022. This order can also be amended by the Governor and Lt. Governor at any time.
Click here for full text of emergency declaration 5.-March-14-2022-DECLARATION-OF-ONGOING-PUBLIC-HEALTH-EMERGENCY-AND-STATE-OF-EMERGENCY
