No more COVID vax mandate for government workers or students

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As the number of coronavirus positive cases continue to decline in the territory, Gov. Peleti Mauga’s new COVID-19 Emergency Declaration — effective Aug. 26 and released late Thursday afternoon by the Governor’s Office — loosens several COVID-19 restrictions from previous declarations.

Among the significant changes under the new declaration — which expired Sept. 25 — is the removal of the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for government employees and school students. This mandate is no longer a requirement.

Previous declarations mandated all ASG employees to be fully vaccinated as a condition of continued employment, and this requirement prompted protests in the past.

Vaccination is still a requirement for entry into American Samoa for travelers 5 years and older, but exceptions may be granted for medical conditions or a sincerely held religious beliefs. 

Requests for vaccination exemption must be received at least 10-days before travel. To request a form for vaccine accommodations, contact the Governor’s Office at — [email protected] - or call (684) 633-4121.

Also still a requirement is that all travelers must register on the ASG’s TALOFAPASS websytem, at least 10 days prior to entering the territory and must show proof of full vaccination if they are 5 years old or older.

“Any person traveling from outside of the U.S and Samoa must show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test via TALOFAPASS within 72 hours prior to travel,” according to the new declaration.

It also states that the Health Department (DoH) has the authority to issue isolation directives to restrict the movements of people who test positive for COVID-19.

The Governor's Office may be contacted at [email protected] or 684-633-4121.The Department of Health may be contacted at [email protected] or 684-633-5871/5872.

See Samoa News edition on Monday for more details.