23 Dec 2020

American Samoa agrees to repatriation flights for Samoan citizens

12:01 pm on 23 December 2020

The American Samoa government has agreed to repatriation flights for Samoan citizens stranded in the territory due to the Covid pandemic.

"The flights are exclusively for returning citizens from American Samoa and will not take back any passengers," according to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) Chairman, Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo.

He said the repatriation flight is in line with the Government's Covid 19 Border Security, and takes into account the post-flood relief and rehabilitation and reconstruction from the flooding that greatly affected the country last week.

Samoa's Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, CEO. Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo.

Samoa's Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, CEO. Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo. Photo: Samoa government

Agafili said all Samoan citizens wishing to return home must register with the Consular General of Samoa Manogiamanu Fonoti Etuale.

Samoan citizens keen to return must provide a a negative Covid 19 test and medical clearance.

American Samoa has made it clear that all incoming travellers from Samoa, including Samoa citizens with permanent residents in the territory, are prohibited from entering American Samoa until further notice.

The territory is not allowing any passengers flights from Samoa because of their boarders' prevention policies.