Samoa returned two travellers from American Samoa, while three arrivals from Samoa were also returned Wednesday and yesterday. This is due to incomplete procedures relating to Covid travel requirements.
Acting Clinical Director at the Department of Health, Dr Elizabeth Lauvao said on Wednesday Samoa returned two travellers from American Samoa who did not obtain health clearances from DOH, according to 93KHJ reports.
This is one of the Samoa Government’s requirements for arrivals.
After they were sent back to the territory the travellers were able to obtain health clearances and were able to make the last flight to Apia that day.
The American Samoa Government also returned three travellers who arrived yesterday because they had not registered on TalofaPass a requirement for all travellers to the territory.
It’s unclear, how the travellers were able to get on the flight if they hadn’t gone through TalofaPass as they must obtain an Ok Board from the Attorney General’s Office as part of the Talofa Pass review.
Airline officials in Samoa say passengers have reported difficulty registering on the TalofaPass, something that KHJ News can attest to having gone through the same experience. Assistance from a TalofaPass agent was sought to help complete registration on the system after a few attempts.
