Inter-Samoa flights, which were supposed to be for two days a week only, are now spread over three days.
The flights which started this week operate on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, said Dr. Elizabeth Lauvao, Acting Clinical Director for the Department of Health.
She told KHJ news, they added another day of flights because of the demand for seats to and from Samoa.
The cap on travelers is 28 per days going and coming.
Travelers have to register on TalofaPass and they must have a negative COVID-19 test, 72 hours before departure. Upon arrival, they will have another COVID test and those who test negative are cleared to go home while those who are positive will be taken into isolation at the Alternate Care Facility.
In Apia, Samoa airways is charging $380 tala one way or $600 roundtrip. Travelers also have to pay a $65 tala departure tax, as this is not included in the airfare. The COVID test, which is free for everyone here, costs $150 for everyone, even infants.
In related news, it’s a Hawaiian Airlines flight night and included in the passengers heading out tonight are the federal medical team that’s been here, some from the start of community transmission in February. There are about 30 members, mostly pharmacists. Some of the team members were in Manu’a.
As of today, the number of COVID-19 cases in Manu’a is 32; 22 in Faleasao and 10 in Ta’u village. The other villages of Ta’u island have not recorded any cases of COVID. The islands of Ofu and Olosega are still COVID-free.
The first cases that were reported from Faleasao village last week are reported to be doing well and should be ending their period of isolation in a few days, according to Dr. Lauvao.
