Travelers applaud elimination of 72-hour COVID tests in Apia & Honolulu

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Through a travel advisory, the Health Department (DoH) officially confirmed that the 72-hour test for COVID-19 prior to departure for American Samoa for travelers originating from the U.S and Samoa is not longer required, “effective June 13”.

DoH acting director for clinical service Dr. Elizabeth Lauvao had first announced at this week’s COVID-19 Task Force virtual news conference, the department’s recommendation to do away with the requirement of a test 72-hours prior to departure for Pago Pago, as more internal restrictions are eased. (See yesterday’s Samoa News edition for details).

Local residents and future travelers in the U.S posted on social media platforms, applauding the elimination of required COVID testing prior to departure for Pago Pago. However, some are calling for the task force do away with TalofaPass registration.

During Tuesday’s news conference, the news media posed a similar query pertaining to TalofaPass, which monitors and assesses entry into the territory. With the elimination of testing prior to boarding a flight to Pago Pago, Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale was asked if there is still a need to register on TalofaPass for travelers to the territory.

Talauega, who is also the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR), responded that there’s continued good use for the TalofaPass, noting — for example — that if there is a new virus outbreak and vaccinations are required — this system is needed to monitor this process for travelers to the territory.

Also, there is still the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for travelers — 5 years and older — and that information is uploaded to TalofaPass, which also “tracks” illnesses of travelers entering the territory, and handles requests for transport of human remains, said Talauega, noting that these are just a few quick reasons — but there are a lot more reasons behind the usefulness of TalofaPass.

TALOFAPASS HELP DESK

There have been a lot of local and off island inquiries as to how to reach TalofaPass staff. And the TalofaPass Facebook page posting this past weekend provided such information and that is, the TalofaPass help desk telephone number is (833) 378-0022 which is a number that can be used from anywhere in the world — the U.S and Samoa included.

This number is routed directly to a help desk in American Samoa. For any questions relating to policies or technical issues, please call the 833 number. There is also a local number (684) 782-2200 to the help desk. Both the 833 and 684 numbers are answered in American Samoa.

“Remember, TalofaPass is an IT solution that helps us communicate with you, it does ‘not’ make decisions,” the posting states and notes that the help desk can explain the current ASG policies on travel, help with technical issues on alerts, systems errors, uploads, “but [it] cannot change any decision on denials for travel from the American Samoa Government agencies.”

TRAVEL ADVISORY DETAILS

DoH’s travel advisory issued this week, officially announced the changes for travel to American Samoa for passengers from the U.S and Samoa, saying that these “changes were thoroughly discussed by the medical community and recommended to the Task Force for consideration.’

“We ask for your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we continue to monitor changes throughout the summer months,” said DoH in its’ brief statement in the travel advisory.

The advisory reiterated DoH’s “recommendation” that was first presented during the news conference, and it officially confirms that: “Effective June 13, 2022”, there will be “no” test requirement prior to traveling to American Samoa from the U.S and Samoa but passengers are subject to COVID-19 testing upon arrival in Pago Pago.

If testing negative, travelers will be released to go home and only required to check in to ASG’s TalofaPass websystem 5 days after arrival. And travelers are advised to seek medical attention if feeling symptomatic.

“There will be no quarantine restrictions, but travelers are advised to continue practicing protective measures such as mask wearing, hand washing, and social distancing,” said DoH.

If testing positive, travelers will be isolated at a DoH facility for 5 days and released to home isolation for another 5 days.

DoH re-emphasized that passengers whose travel originate from “outside of the U.S and Samoa, MUST be in the U.S or Samoa for 72 hours and complete a COVID-19 test requirement” and upload the results to TalofaPass prior to boarding a flight to American Samoa. It also stressed that a PCR test is required while “home tests are not accepted”.

“Proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 remains a requirement to travel to American Samoa,” said DoH, noting that travelers from the U.S are required to register on TalofaPass 14-days prior to departure, while passengers from Samoa are required to register on TalofaPass five-days prior to travel to Pago Pago.