17 Nov 2020

American Samoans get easier access to Hawaii amid covid

8:35 pm on 17 November 2020
Group of viruses, computer illustration.

Photo: AFP

The American Samoa Department of Health has been announced as one of 11 trusted partners in Hawai'i's domestic pre-travel testing program.

This will mean it's Covid-19 tests will be accepted by the State's authorities and allow American Samoans to enter Hawaii without going through the quarantine requirements.

Since borders opened on October 15th, there is a mandatory 14-day quarantine in place.

However, authorities considered trusted partners by the state can instigate Covid-19 Nucleic Acid Amplification tests in order to bypass the 2 week isolation period.

The American Samoa Department of Health has the necessary testing services for this to occur.

The test must be taken 72 hours before the final leg of departure, and a negative test result must be uploaded in the Hawaii Safe Travels digital platform or presented upon arrival in order to enter.

Currently all Hawaiian Airlines flights between Honolulu and Pago Pago are suspended until 30 December but medical referal flights are allowed.