Staff Writer
The scheduled Los Angeles direct flight to Samoa is canceled. Cabinet decides not to take the risk with test results still uncertain of the returning seafarer who was tested positive-negative with the coronavirus.
The US is a high risk area with the coronavirus pandemic and it was added reason for the flight cancellation.
. No decision also on if or when the direct flight will go ahead any time soon.
The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi did not discuss, in a press conference this afternoon with the local media what will happen to the travelers.
Government is forced to bear the loss of chartered costs with Air New Zealand with the decision to call off the flight, but no amount was given.
More than 290 stranded travelers were booked to fly in this coming Saturday 28 November 2020.
About half the passengers were returning seafarers who made their way to the US from Europe where they were stranded.
Students and church missionaries were included also.
“Cabinet made the decision to cancel the flight at 1.00pm this afternoon,” PM Tuilaepa said. “It was a very difficult decision with the families and everyone involved.”
Families of the travelers were personally informed of the Cabinet decision before it was made public through the local media.
Cabinet delayed a final decision after its Tuesday meeting and part of the reason was a request to the New Zealand Government for the passengers to be quarantined in New Zealand before they can continue on to Samoa.
“We waited but did not get any response so we decided to go ahead and cancel the flight,” PM Tuilaepa disclosed.
He was quick, however, to accept the concerns that are involved for the New Zealand Government on issues with this kind of sensitivity.