Effective November 15th, travelers to American Samoa will no longer require approval from the Department of Health and Department of Legal Affairs on TalofaPass as a prerequisite for entry to American Samoa.
In addition, they will no longer be required to show proof of COVID vaccination as a condition of entry into the territory.
The changes are to be included in the next Emergency Declaration for COVID-19 to be issue d before the existing one expires on November 15th. This was explained in a press release issued today by the Emergency Operations Center.
Most COVID-19 related questions would be removed from the system and travelers will, instead, find a brief health questionnaire. This will allow the Department of Health to continue monitoring the health status of incoming passengers in the event of future outbreaks.
Travelers unable to complete the health questionnaire online will not be prevented from entry into American Samoa, but will be required to fill out the brief health survey upon arrival. Airlines or ocean carriers will have the right to deny boarding to any traveler to American Samoa who does not meet immigration requirements.
Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua stated, “Despite the downsizing of the COVID-19 entry requirements on the TalofaPass system, COVID-19 won’t be the last communicable disease. We still have to be prepared for the future.”
Lt. Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale, also Chairman of the COVID-19 Task Force, shared that there are at least 10 states in America still operating under an Emergency Declaration; and that the Federal Government has extended the Public Health Emergency until at least January 2023. “The work of the COVID-19 Task Force has always been guided by science, and what the Department of Health has recommended to prevent and respond to the virus,” he stated.
Once updates are completed, the COVID-19 policy changes will be reflected in the forthcoming Governor’s Emergency Declaration — set to expire on November 15th. The first Hawaiian Air flight, for which the changes will apply, is the one on November 17th.
“TalofaPass was a successful IT solution in response to lessons learned from the repatriation and quarantine period and has always been part of a larger vision of the Lemanu Talauega administration. This vision and transition includes moving the American Samoa Government away from fragmented manual processes toward e-government and a more streamlined, paperless system,” stated Task Force Chairman Talauega.
He acknowledges that in spite of challenges and areas for improvement along the way, the TalofaPass served its intended purpose in regards to travel during COVID. Further, it has reinforced the need for Government agencies to collect better data, foster collaboration between departments, and to improve the experience for returning residents and visitors to our Territory. The Lemanu Talauega administration intends to continue building upon the capabilities and functions of the system.
The Task Force has recommended to the Governor that borders to American Samoa be officially reopened to pre-pandemic status, on December 1st, 2022.
