The American Samoa Department of Health this week, issued an “important” reminder of requirements for travelers to American Samoa they “must” register on ASG’s TalofaPass.
The latest reminder follows the growing number of travelers between the two Samoas.
The Talofapass process was also been scrutinized in Parliament.
Members of Parliament in Samoa are calling on its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to consult with the American Samoa Government over the “complexity” of the traveling process to enter the US Territory.
In Parliament last week this was one of the issues cited by MP, Tea Tooalo Peato, saying the difficult procedure that travelers from Samoa are going through to enter American Samoa should be addressed.
Tea suggested the possibility to waive such requirements for the two Samoas and allow for a convenient and accessible process for Samoan residents.
He urged Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio who is the Acting Prime Minister to appeal to the good working relationships between the two Samoa to ensure permits are issued in an easier way.
This was supported Deputy leader of the HRPP, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, and called for a need to make the process simpler.
He recalled his recent trip to American Samoa and stated that the paperwork involved in getting a permit was conducted online, and it also required a police report before receiving a permit to travel. He also cited the proximity of the two Samoa yet the requirements for entry are complex.
Furthermore, the Member recommended increasing the number of flights between the two nations as there are currently only three trips a week.
