Confusion reigns over requirements for travel between the two Samoas

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Health Department yesterday issued an “important” reminder of requirements for entering Samoa, and re-emphasized that travelers to American Samoa from Apia “must” register on ASG’s TalofaPass websystem, which screens travelers to the territory.

The latest reminder comes amid the growing number of travelers between the two Samoas and local residents heading to Samoa are still raising questions on entry requirements into the Independent State as well as what happens upon arrival in Apia.

Prior to traveling to Samoa, DoH said all travelers 12 years and older “must be fully vaccinated”; must have a “valid vaccination card”, as an electronic copy is not accepted; and they must acquire a negative COVID test 48 hours prior to departure.

(Last month DoH announced that prospective travelers to Apia must register with the Samoa Consulate Office in Fagatogo, and the contact phone there is 633-5919. Only the Consulate approves passengers allowed entry into Samoa.)

Upon arrival in Samoa, travelers must wear face masks at all times; present a hardcopy of the negative COVID test result; submit a completed Health Declaration Form with contact information; and be subjected to a COVID retest on day 5 after arrival at a health facility or private clinic. Home testing is not accepted.

Results of the test must be reported to Samoa Ministry of Health — [email protected] — and travelers are reminded to be prepared to pay a fee for testing.

Passengers who test negative are not required to home quarantine.

Returning to American Samoa, all travelers must register on TalofaPass at least five-days prior to travel. For more information contact the DoH COVID-19 hotline at 219 or (684) 633-5871.

Two local residents who recently returned from Samoa have echoed what others have said, that it’s very difficult registering on TalofaPass from Samoa, and that there should be another process.

And social media is filled with complaints regarding travelers from Samoa having difficulties registering on TalofaPass.

A local resident, who arrived from Apia last Friday, says that at least four American Samoans weren’t able to board that same flight as they weren’t able to fully register on TalofaPass.

The ASG official website — www.americansamoa.gov — provides a link on how to register on TalofaPass and other entry requirements.