Effective Immediately: Restriction on public gatherings is lifted

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Effective Immediately” the “restriction on public gathering is... lifted,” according to Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga’s Dec. 16th proclamation that amends certain provisions of his Dec. 8th emergency declaration, which prohibits public gatherings including bingo games, due to the measles outbreak.

This was one of the issues the governor discussed yesterday during his cabinet meeting, as the territory now has 10 confirmed measles cases and no current hospitalizations.

In the proclamation, the governor points out that the imminent threat posed by the measles epidemic in Pacific nations continues to pose a significant heath risk to American Samoa as the Health Department continues with its mass vaccination.

Additionally, the public health emergency and state of emergency still exist in American Samoa as there continues to be vulnerable populations in the territory at high risk of contracting measles.

“The risk of travelers carrying the measles into the territory remains a matter of high concern,” Lolo said, adding that the DoH director and LBJ medical personnel have made recommendations amending certain restrictions in the Dec. 8th declaration.

Restriction on public gatherings is lifted. Another amendment, according to the governor, is that all entry permits from Samoa will require a 15-day review period while those from other countries will be under review for 30-days. Excluded from this review period is entry permit requests for those “traveling through” the U.S and its territories.

“However, all entry permit requests, regardless of country of origin, must include document proof of vaccination,” the governor points out, and ordered that all ASG agencies “tasked with protecting our borders and waters are to remain on high alert.”

He stressed that all vessels entering ASG waters must continue to receive prior approval to navigate territorial waters. Furthermore, all restrictions at the airport and seaport for travelers and the public remains in effect. The governor said all “other unaffected provisions” of the Dec. 8th declaration remains “in full force and effect.” 

Lolo reminds the public that the emergency declaration as well as the public health emergency declaration issued Nov. 13th extends to the entire territory including all islands, ports, territorial waters, and areas subject to the control of the American Samoa Government.

Inquiries regarding the amended restrictions should be directed to the Emergency Operations Center at 699-3800/0412 or DoH hotlines at 633-5871/5872