Gov lays out parameters of Code Red for members of his Cabinet

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga has informed directors and deputy directors that they “should be flexible in sustaining their operations as we navigate through” the current Code Red threat level.

“Executing our critical mission while accommodating the health and safety of our people is top priority,” wrote the governor in a Feb. 23 memorandum to cabinet members on the current “ASG shutdown due to COVID-19 Risk Level Elevated to Code Red.”

“As leaders, many of you have had to carry out additional responsibilities in assisting with limiting the number of COVID-19 cases entering our Territory — you have worked tirelessly in support of the COVID-19 Task Force and the Department of Health’s critical mission,” he informed cabinet members.

The governor noted the Code Red threat level and pointed to provisions of the current COVID-19 Emergency Declaration in which each department, office and agency:

• will designate essential employees who directly perform or support essential services such as those related to public safety; health; utilities; food production, distribution and sales; sanitation and laundry; port operations and similarly, essential services. Only those employees who are absolutely essential should work at places of employment.

Another provision of the declaration, states that all ASG operations will be suspended except for first responders and essential employees.

“Virtual and telework should be imposed to maintain essential services wherever operationally feasible,” the governor pointed out. “On-site work should absolutely be limited to critical situations, i.e, law enforcement functions critical to health and safety or performing critical on-site support functions.”

The governor noted that the Code Red risk level will remain in effect until Mar. 1 and thanked “everyone for your willingness to do your part, your commitment to our territory and all you do to keep our community safe.”