By Martha Taumata Faavae
Samoa is confident of tight health security procedures for incoming cargo vessels despite the scare of several crew members of a cargo vessel who tested positive in American Samoa after a brief stop over in Apia last Sunday.
The Director General Of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri and head of the National Emergency Operations Centre, Agafili Shem Leo, assured that Samoa is still coronavirus-free in a press conference during the week
Arrival statistics bear out the health security protocols in place for sea and air travel to Samoa since the state of emergency was declared 9 months ago on 20 March 2020.
NEOC chairman Agafili listed 346 vessels that have passed through the Matautu-tai wharf so far.
Repatriation flights primarily from New Zealand have logged 14 arrivals at Faleolo International Airport for an overall total so far of 2702 passengers.
Most of the flights brought in between 300-200 passengers per landing.
“Our only safety resort is our frontline border controls and we have been religious in our security procedures to the point where we are still free of the pandemic,” Agafili pointed out.
The container ship, the Fesco Askold, with a 17-member crew on board called into Apia from Tahiti and was in port for less than 24 hours before it sailed off to American Samoa.
Under security protocols the vessel was stopped a mile out of port for health screening and other health check requirements.
The crew were then isolated on quarantine in a section of the vessel and a locally designated pilot brought in to sail it into port.
“As it has been from the beginning of the Proclamation of the State of Emergency for COVID 19, all vessels requesting to enter Samoa are required to have valid medical clearance(s) for all crew members, with negative COVID 19 test results, and reports from the last point of departure,” an earlier statement from Government reminded after positive test reports from American Samoa.
“These documents are meticulously assessed by Samoa’s health officials at the quarantine buoy, about a mile away from Matautu wharf.”
Leausa Dr. Naseri later in the week added that when American Samoa announced positive tests, they we went over the security procedures again and were confident everything was fully observed.
Leausa stands by the protocols as not only secure but saves on the stock of testing kits in stock that are reserved for the hundreds of passengers flying into the country.
“The seamen are here for a quick stopover and they’re off again for days at sea on the way to their next port of call whereas our flight arrivals must be tested before they are released and become exposed to the general public.”
All workers and health officials who had a role to play during the container vessels short stay in port are isolated in quarantine as part of the security procedures that are strictly followed.
“They will be tested before they are allowed out of quarantine.”
Meanwhile in American Samoa the vessel with the infected crew members was at first reported to be anchored 8km from shore.
“American Samoa’s Covid-19 task force chairman Iulogologo Joseph Pereira said this would allow local authorities to complete their assessment of the situation and come up with a plan to offload and pick up containers,” according to a report by the Samoa News newspaper.
Steps are reportedly taken to decontaminate the dock in case of any contamination while the vessel was dockside.
Three of the crew members tested positive for the pandemic virus will again be tested with more sensitive and sophisticated testing equipment at the territory’s LBJ Medical Centre.
Confirmation of the virus appears likely to cross American Samoa off the coronavirus-free list is yet to be official.
Any change of health status in the neighbouring territory may also see new travel restrictions imposed for travellers to Apia.