Samoa citizens in the territory hoping for repatriation flights before Christmas

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — With Christmas Day 2020 one-week from today, some local residents, who are citizens of Samoa, are hoping that repatriation flights will commence before Dec. 25th so they can return home to their families in Apia for the holidays.

It’s been just over a week now since Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga, granted approval for repatriation fights returning to Apia for citizens of Samoa in the territory as well as those wanting to head there for the holidays/

“We still have not received a list from the Prime Minister on those he wish to repatriate to Samoa,” was the response from Iulogologo Joseph Pereira, chairman of the government’s COVID-19 Task Force, when asked yesterday for a confirmed date on when repatriation flights will commence.

“As soon as this list is received the flights will start,” said Iulogologo, who is also the governor’s executive assistant.

As previously reported by Samoa News, the list of people for repatriation flights will have to go to the “Attorney General for appropriate clearance before departure.”

Some local residents, who are citizens of Samoa, have inquired with the local media on the status of the repatriation flights, as they are hoping to make it to Apia before the holidays. And Samoa News has received reports in the past couple of days that some cannery workers are looking at going on the repatriation flights, since StarKist Samoa production will shut down for its annual two-weeks at the end of the year.

However, Iulogologo emphasized yesterday that the “Governor has made it known that those repatriated will not be able to return until the borders are opened.” Further, the governor’s approval for repatriation flights also includes that no passengers are to be on the return flights from Samoa.

Also approved by the governor was the resumption of cargo-only service by the Samoa government owned MV Lady Naomi between the two Samoas.

However, due to bad weather in Samoa, the voyage due to arrive in Pago Pago on Wednesday this week was cancelled, according to a notice posted on the Samoa Shipping Corporation Limited’s Facebook page.

It also says that next week’s voyage, scheduled to arrive in the territory on Tuesday, is still operating at this time.

Local residents are looking forward to the MV Lady Naomi to send Christmas goodies to families in Samoa.