THE construction of the judicial building’s “Covid-19 Screening and Security Zone” has been completed.
The newly constructed Covid-19 Screening and Security Zone at the Guma’ Hustisia is seen on Thursday.
Photo by Bryan Manabat
“We expect to open the screening area once we obtain the occupancy permit,” CNMI Supreme Court clerk of court Judy T. Aldan said.
The new facility was funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security or CARES Act.
As for available courtrooms, Aldan said two of the five courtrooms on the second floor of the judicial building or Guma’ Hustisia were opened on Jan. 5, 2021.
She said the Supreme Court areas and courtroom on the first floor were closed on Jan. 15, 2021 for the next phase of the judiciary’s mold remediation and HVAC project.
“Together with one courtroom activated at the Marianas Business Plaza, there are three courtrooms in total being used for trial court sessions,” Aldan said.
“All other areas within the Guma’ Hustisia are closed to the public as construction and industrial hygienist teams perform sanitization and mold remediation in offices and the remaining courtrooms, and repair and install equipment and related structural items,” the clerk of court added.
“Super Typhoon Yutu repairs and Covid-19 safety protocols will determine the Guma’ Hustisia’s exact opening date, now anticipated for June 2021,” she said.
The judiciary has been conducting court hearings outside of the main building since March 2018 due to mold infestation and air-conditioning malfunction.
The building also sustained major damage when Super Typhoon Yutu hit Saipan and Tinian in October 2018.
