Biz restrictions and curfews lifted in latest emergency declaration

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Restrictions on hours of operation for businesses as well the nightly curfew are removed from the new COVID-19 Emergency Declaration, which is effective today, June 27 for 30-days and signed by Acting Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale — as Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga left for meetings in the U.S about two weeks ago.

The changes to local restrictions come as the number of confirmed community spread COVID cases remains low. And the latest action by the government is being applauded by businesses and members of the public, easing more restrictions that have been in place since the first community outbreak case was reported in February this year.

Masking and social distancing are both still highly recommended in the new declaration, as well as vaccinations, and booster shots to prevent any new surge.

BUSINESSES AND CURFEW

The previous declaration had a curfew from 11p.m until 4:30a.m the following day and the new declaration removes this provision, but keeps in place that nothing in the order affects the authority of the village councils to enact regulations imposing curfews or restricting public gatherings — pursuant to local law.

Also removed from the new declaration is the previous provision restricting operating hours for businesses, but noted that, nothing in the declaration shall limit the authority of any private business or organization, including any medical home care facility from imposing additional restrictions necessary to protect its employees and customers and to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

ENTERING THE TERRITORY

The declaration re-emphasized current entry requirements in which travelers “must” register on the ASG’s TalofaPass websystem and that registration must take place 5-days prior to entering the territory from Samoa and 14-days prior to entry from any other location.

And travelers must show proof of full vaccination if they are 5 years or older. The new declaration adds a provision for this requirement saying that requests for “vaccine accommodations for medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief may be made on forms approved” by the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR) — who is Talauega, the Lieutenant Governor.

Requests for accommodation must be received at least 14-days before travel. To request a form for vaccine accommodations, contact the Governor’s Office at — [email protected] - or call (684) 633-4121.

The declaration reiterated current protocol that any person traveling from “outside” of the U.S and Samoa must be in the U.S or Samoa for 72 hours prior to travel to the territory and show proof of negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours prior to travel — via TaloaPass.

All travelers to the territory “must” submit to COVID testing upon arrival and are subject to being placed in isolation if they test COVID positive.

Added on to the new declaration is that any person who tests positive must register or to be registered on TalofaPass “to ensure that required services may be provided to the patient, for contact tracing, and for daily reporting that the individual is abiding by all quarantine and isolation protocols and requirements.”

SCHOOLS

Schools and colleges, continue to be open for in-person classes under the new declaration, with the previous conditions to be followed, such as all students 5 years old or older as well as teachers and school personnel at the school compounds during in-person learning must show evidence of full vaccination.

Removed from the declaration is the previous requirement that limited occupancy to 50% of the maximum capacity of indoor spaces.

Mask use is required at all times during in-person classes, according to the declaration, which states that additional requirements may be issued by school administrations depending on facts at each school.

CHILDCARE FACILITIES

According to the declaration, childcare facilities may open so long as children who are five years or older show evidence of full vaccination as well as all employees and that mask use is required at all times, except while eating or drinking.

Childcare centers were among the businesses that were closed at the outset of the community outbreak, as they were not considered an essential service. And Samoa News knows of at least four new childcare facilities that were officially launched for business in late December 2021 and January 2022 and then closed down due to the COVID outbreak restrictions.

“Childcare facility owners and employees are just getting back on our feet and it’s been very difficult and tough during the shutdown without any income,” said one operator in a brief Samoa News phone interview over the weekend. “Federal assistance relating to COVID helped a bit, but still it’s been hard.”

OTHER ISSUES

The vaccine mandate for ASG employees to work for the government as well as the requirement of a booster shot for certain first-responders and other protocols remain in place under the new declaration — which has removed any reference from previous declarations pertaining to restrictions on public gatherings.

Click on attachment to download full text of the latest declaration.