CoC: CODE BLUE does not limit customers at your business to10

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Chamber of Commerce sent out a notice to their members on Wednesday afternoon pointing out that American Samoa is “still at the threat level of Code Blue, until further notice,” and that level does not include limiting your customers or patrons “within your business to no more that 10 people.”

The CoC notice says, “It has been brought to our attention that police officers have visited some of your establishments and demanded that you limit patrons within your business to no more than 10 people. We have notified the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Attorney General’s office of this situation.”

Confirming with the Acting Attorney General and Deputy Public Safety Commission “that we are still at the threat level of Code Blue until further notice,” CoC notes that the “Deputy Commissioner stated that he will be discussing this situation and the meanings of the different color codes associated w/ASG's COVID19 response with his officers today.”

CoC includes in its email notice an attachment that “summarizes the different color codes and their respective restrictions.” For Code Blue it lists all of its restrictions, including the following to do with businesses:

“Minimal social disruption with an emphasis on social distancing, hygiene, and cough etiquette.

“SITUATION: COVID-19 has been identified and spreading in Foreign Countries and in the United States, including Hawaii but not in American Samoa. Measures focus on delaying entry of the disease through community awareness/education and encouraging hand washing, cough etiquette and social distancing. Minimal disruption to society such as travel advisories and restrictions. Conduct business as usual. Minimal disruption to society such as quarantine and isolation.

“Social distancing methods are to be encouraged such as video conferencing, phone calls, emails for communication.

“All public gatherings are suspended until further notice. This includes, but is not limited to, bingo halls, rallies, political events, theaters, traditional gatherings, parks and recreation areas, light night gatherings, and major sponsored events. Only private family gatherings of no more than ten (10) people will be permitted. DPS is tasked with ensuring that public gatherings disperse. The public is advised that failure to obey this restriction will be prosecuted as a Class A misdemeanor under ASCA § 13.0323.

“All businesses will only be allowed to operate from 6am to 6pm. Only those businesses that impact food security are exempted from operating hours restrictions. Restaurants, bars, and nightclubs will be limited to no more than ten (10) person occupancy. Businesses are encouraged to keep their facilities sanitized. All drive-thru and take- away restaurants may remain open until 10:00 pm daily. Further advisories will be issued from the Governor that may adjust restrictions on businesses as necessary.”

CoC advises its members that “if you encounter DPS officers who attempt to enforce actions at your businesses that are not in compliance with these policies and mandates authorized by the Governor, please be respectful, and feel free to show the officer a copy of the threat level matrix. 

“If the officer persists with such actions, be courteous and ask for his/ her name(s), ask to speak w/their Supervisor, and contact a member of Chamber Board so that we may assist in peacefully resolving the situation.”