23 Oct 2020

Hawai'i grants American Samoan flight quarantine exemption

1:48 pm on 23 October 2020

Hawai'i's governor David Ige, has granted a quarantine exemption with conditions, to passengers arriving from American Samoa on a medical charter next week.

Governor David Ige

Governor David Ige Photo: Governor's Office

More than 100 patients and their escorts are confirmed for the one-way flight.

The flight will also include federal employees or US residents who had been stranded in American Samoa since borders closed in March to prevent the spread of Covid-19 to the territory.

The exemption means passengers on the medical charter will not need to do a Covid test in American Samoa prior to arrival in Honolulu.

They will also be exempt from quarantine in Hawai'i.

However all passengers, by Hawai'i law, must register online for the Hawai'i Safe Travelers Program and complete a Mandatory State of Hawai'i Travel and Health Form.

Failure to register online prior to travel and arrival in Hawaii, will subject the traveler to a $US2000 fine upon arrival.

The American Samoan Governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, said he was thankful to Ige and his office for their support to help people traveling to Hawai'i under trying times.

People on the flight were leaving with the understanding that there was no return flight scheduled.

A morning view of the city of Honolulu, Hawaii on the morning a missile warning was sent out.

A morning view of the city of Honolulu, Hawaii on the morning a missile warning was sent out. Photo: AFP