American Samoa's governor, Lemanu Peleti Mauga has made it mandatory to wear masks and social distancing in both public and private sector.
The governor's new directive amends provision of his Covid-19 emergency declaration on January 30th, which is to run until March.
Under an amended provision, social distancing and wearing face mask are now required.
American Samoa's governor, Lemanu Peleti Mauga. Photo: RNZI/Monica Miller
The governor ordered that all government agencies as well as all private sector business and organisations are required to mandate social distancing and mask use inside any building.
Furthermore, every person at a public gathering or inside a building that is open to the public must wear a mask, and people on public transport or commercial vehicles must also adorn masks.
Wearing a mask does not apply to children under 2 years of age; a person who cannot wear a mask or cannot safely wear a mask because of a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act; and a person who is the sole occupant of a vehicle or office.
The new requirement for American Samoa - which remains Covid-19 free - comes as the government launched repatriation flights from the US with the first flight arriving on Monday afternoon with 159 passengers, who were all tested three times in Honolulu and all came back negative of the virus.