ASG’s new airport quarantine facility — looks “just like a hotel”

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The government’s multi-million dollar Airport Quarantine Facility (AQF) — described by Public Works deputy director, Fa’alavai Ta’ase as “just like a hotel” — was officially dedicated last Friday afternoon, in a 45-minute ceremony.

The two-story facility is a fully renovated and reconstructed aircraft hanger on the Pago Pago International Airport premises.

[l-r] Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga, First Lady Ella, and Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Mauga T. Asuega pose for a media photo inside one of the rooms at the new Airport Quarantine Facility last Friday. [photo: FS]

“Due to an increase in the need for a quarantine facility for all travelers entering American Samoa, jurisdictions may be forced to establish an Airport Quarantine Facility (AQF) where travelers who have been tested for COVID-19 can stay and receive medical care for the duration of their quarantine period,” according to the project description written in the dedication program.

It also says that AQF was conceptualized and implemented to meet the ever-growing needs of the local community.  Additionally, the COVID-19 Task Force and Health Department continue to provide medical services to all travelers entering American Samoa, ensuring that the community remains COVID-19 free.

And the AQF is one of three quarantine facilities that the DoH has available to serve the community.

Ta’ase — before presenting the Certificate of Occupancy to Health director Motusa Tuileama Nua — provided a brief history of the project, with a total cost of $2.5 million, which includes construction, complete furnishing of all 36-rooms of the two-story facility, parking lot and fence.

The rooms are air conditioned, with amenities — “just like a hotel” — such as television, internet, bathrooms, telephones, mini-small kitchen and beds, said Ta’ase, who noted that this was one of the Administration’s priority projects.

Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean (left) looks on, as Pulu Ae Ae Jr., opts to test the bed, lying down on it during a tour last Friday of the new Airport Quarantine Facility. [photo: FS]

The first-floor has 14 rooms as well as a nursing station, laundry room, full kitchen station, a check-in reception desk, and other services. The second floor has 22 rooms.

Ta’ase didn’t provide a breakdown on the funding source but its understood that it came from ASG’s share of federal COVID-19 related funds.

The construction work for the project was carried out by PJ Construction and a company official — Iupeli Kava gave remarks.

Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga and Motusa — the Health director — also delivered brief remarks during the ceremony, attended by Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, Pulu Ae Ae Jr., for Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, cabinet directors, several lawmakers and others.

The governor in his remarks also emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated to protect the community from the COVID-19 pandemic.

A tour of the facility followed after First Lady Ella P. Mauga cut the ribbon. And the DPW duty director was right on the mark when he said the AQF is just like a hotel, as Samoa News overheard several attendees note it was just like a hotel, with all its amenities, such as a mid-size flat-screen TV and mini-kitchen on the first floor.

Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale (far left) shakes hands with House Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui Jr., inside one of the first-floor rooms of the new Airport Quarantine Facility last Friday, with Rep. Lavea Siali’itu Mauga in the background and Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean (far right) sitting on the bed. [photo: FS]

ASG officials later told Samoa News that the AQF is set up to be utilized for the Feb. 17 Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu but any final decision will come from the COVID-19 Task Force, which is holding its weekly meeting today, Monday.

Furthermore, the airport site will provide additional quarantine rooms for inter Samoa flights.

Other quarantine sites currently used by the government are the Tradewinds Hotel, Fatuoaiga facility and the DoH Alternate Care Facility — which comprises two separate buildings located behind the DoH Tafuna Health Center. Sadie’s by the Sea is said to be in negotiations with the government to perhaps once more become a quarantine site, according to the head of the Task Force recently.

[l-r] Governor’s Office Chaplain Rev. Patolo Mageo; Pulu Ae Ae Jr., Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo V. Ale; First Lady Ella Mauga, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean and House Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui Jr., at the main VIP table during last Friday’s dedication and opening ceremony for the new Airport Quarantine Facility at the Pago Pago International Airport. [photo: FS]