One of the topics discussed at yesterday’s meeting of the COVID-19 Task Force, was the possibility of having travelers —who are positive for COVID— pay for accommodation and food during their period of isolation.
The Territorial Coordinating Officer, Samana Semo Ve’ave’a, Director of Homeland Security said that the Task Force chairman have asked the Department of health to come up with a plan to cover costs for arrivals who test positive upon arrival.
This week, two passengers who traveled from Samoa tested positive and last Thursday’s Hawaiian Airlines flight had five positive travelers.
Samana said, funds to cover these costs are running out, hence the chairman have tasked DOH with devising a plan to cover costs.
He explained that this is the plan for now but a decision has not been finalized.
Currently, the government is covering 2 meals a day for the travelers in isolation, breakfast and dinner, and they stay free at the isolation facility.
The discussions on isolation costs comes as the territory looks to increase flights from Hawaii and Samoa.
