
The following is the American Samoa Travel Policy and Guidelines for travel between American Samoa and Samoa (Inter-Samoa Travel Advisory and Surveillance Guidelines) issued by the American Samoa Department of Health. It is printed verbatim.
PURPOSE:
To coordinate travel between American Samoa and Samoa and to minimize risk factors associated with the potential spread and transmission of COVID-19 through travel.
The American Samoa Department of Health (DOH) is committed to implementing a comprehensive strategy, to prevent the transport and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from affected areas outside of the Territory of American Samoa. This policy is executed under the authority states in A.S.C.A Title 13, Chapter 2 (Sections 0211, 0213, and 0227), and Title 25, Chapter 4.
OBJECTIVES:
1. To provide requirements for inbound and outbound travelers between American Samoa
and Samoa.
2. To provide procedures to safely process incoming travelers from Samoa.
3. Utilize the Safe Travels American Samoa electronic system, TalofaPass https://talofapass.as.gov/ to facilitate entry process.
4. To guide airport operations to ensure safety of personnel and reduce risk of exposure to any potential threats from COVID-19.
VERSIONS:
Original: August 5, 2021. Revised: May 4, 2022. Revised: June 26, 2022.
POLICY PROCEDURES
I. General Advisories:
1. Declaration of Ongoing Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency: American Samoa shall limit the number of travelers to and from Samoa to up to 100 (up to 50 outbound and up to 50 inbound) per flight day on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays including chartered flights.
II. Pre Travel Requirements:
1. All Travelers must meet the following requirements:
a. Must have a valid travel ticket confirmed with airline.
b. Register on TALOFA Pass hittps://talofapass.as.gov and upload a copy of travelers’s COVID-19 Vaccination card and valid identification documents (e.g.passport, Certificate of Identification, government issued form of ID) 5 days before departure.
i. Official names and date of birth on Vaccination card must match official identification documents provided.
ii. All traveler(s) 5 years and older must be fully vaccinated. “Fully vaccinated” is defined as two weeks after receiving two doses of a two dose vaccine, or a single dose of a 1 dose vaccine from the list of acceptable vaccines.
iii. Vaccine eligible travelers who have not been vaccinated, due to medical conditions, must provide a letter of exemption from a Physician.
iv. Age ineligible populations who cannot get the vaccine are minors under the age of 5.
c. The following COVID-19 vaccinations are acceptable for entry in Am. Samoa:
i. Pfizer (2 doses)
ii. Moderna (2 doses)
iii. Janssen (1 dose)
iv. AstraZeneca (2 doses)
v. Sinovac with a booster shot of mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna)
2. COVID-19 Booster shots are strongly encouraged for all eligible population ages 12 and above.
i. Pfizer only for 12-17 years and Moderna/Pfizer for 18 years and older Travelers originating from within Samoa and the US, no longer required to provide a Negative PCR COVID-19 test result.
e. Travelers from outside of the US and Samoa MUST be in the US or Samoa 72-hours and complete a COVID-19 test requirement to submit on Talofa Pass prior to boarding for Am. Samoa.
f. Travelers from outside of the US and Samoa MUST be in the US or Samoa 72-hours and complete a COVID-19 test requirement to submit on Talofa Pass prior to boarding to American Samoa.
i. APCR test is required, home tests are not accepted
g. Additional health information may be requested by DOH based on health information submitted by a traveler on TalofaPass.
h. All travelers who recently traveled from outside Samoa (excluding AS) must remain in Samoa for at least 72 hours post Samoa required quarantine before traveling to Pago Pago.
III. Upon Arrival:
All travelers are required to wear a face mask at all times
All travelers or their authorized representative must sign a Directive to Quarantine/Isolation.
3. All travelers must submit to a Rapid Antigen COVID-19 swab test and examination by a DOH physician at the airport.
a. NEGATIVE TEST – Travelers will be released to go home, and only required to check in to TalofaPass five days after arrival. There will be no quarantine restrictions, but travelers are advised to continue practicing protective measures such as mask wearing, hand washing, and social distancing.’
b. POSITIVE TEST – Traveler(s) will be transferred for Supervised Isolation at a DOH designated facility for 5 days. °
i. Traveler(s) will be examined by the DOH physician if there is a need for treatment with therapeutics.
ii. After completing 5 days of Supervised Isolation, traveler(s) will be released to continue with a 5 day Home Quarantine.
4. All original medical documents that were uploaded in TALOFAPass will be reviewed; COVID-19 Vaccination card, 72-hour PCR Test result (if applicable) and other additional documents if requested by DOH.
5. All luggage will be decontaminated and prepared for pick up.
IV. Outbound Travelers:
1. It is the responsibility of outbound travelers to complete and meet the necessary requirements for entry to Samoa.
2. Outbound travelers departing from American Samoa to Samoa do not need to register on TalofaPass at this time.
PRECAUTIONS:
1. Prior approval of Immigration and Department of Health requirements must be granted before a traveler is allowed to enter the Territory.
2. If at any time an Airline violates this policy by letting travelers board without prior DOH and Immigration approval, a fine or temporary suspension of flights will be imposed by the American Samoa Government.
3. Any form of noncompliance with this policy or during this Public Health Emergency
period are subject to fines and/or penalties by the American Samoa Government stipulated under the ASG Public Health, A.S.C.A Title 13, Chapter 2 (Sections 0211, 0213, and 0227), and Title 25, Chapter 4.u
This policy is subject to change based on emerging situations, the threat level of the COVID-19 and local COVID-19 situations.
Signed and Approved by Director of Health, Motusa Tuileama Nua and Clinical Director, Department of Health, Dr. Elizabeth Lauvao on June 28, 2022.