THE Commonwealth faces new Covid-19 restrictions effective today, Monday, Dec. 6, as the surge in community cases and hospitalizations continue to rise, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said Sunday.
These include new guidelines on in-person interactions, public gatherings, and vaccine verification, all of which will be in effect until Sunday, Dec. 19.
On Friday, the governor said he had discussed this matter with Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation Chief Executive Officer Esther L. Muna, CNMI Covid-19 Task Force Chair Warren F. Villagomez, the governor’s authorized representative for the Covid-19 disaster Patrick Guerrero, Homeland Security special assistant Gerald Deleon Guerrero, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Robert Guerrero, Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Commissioner Dennis Mendiola, the Office of the Attorney General, as well as other medical professionals.
“I know that there have been a lot of concerns in the community about the number of increased positive cases, as well as [persons under investigation, or PUIs]… We will be disseminating, as well as perhaps even doing a massive test throughout the island. We are working on sending antigen [testing] to Rota and Tinian as well. Our goal is to do a mass community-based [antigen] testing,” said the governor.
He added, “We have been prepared since day one. We expected this to increase sometime down the road. One thing that I believe that we have done an excellent job in is making sure that everyone is vaccinated, as much as we [could]. We had the success rate of the Road to 80 [vaccination campaign]. We are at 85%. It makes us a very big difference with any other territory, or in the nation. Knowing that we are [over] 85%… makes our community a lot safer, knowing the fact that those numbers have increased in the last month or so,” said the governor.
Moreover, he said, “Again, if you look at the numbers – and I think that this is really important. We were discussing this yesterday with the [CHCC] CEO, the number of patients that have tested positive [and] have walked out [of recovery and] that have also been vaccinated, there… is a good percentage because we have a high number of vaccinations and our effort to get our community vaccinated is what’s helping us maintain a low number of fatalities.”
Government offices
All non-essential government offices will be closed, with their employees advised to stay home for the next 14 days.
All department and activity heads have been advised to facilitate teleworking and timekeeping within their offices, divisions, and agencies during this government stay-at-home order.
Certain essential government offices will be open to the public on a limited basis, including the Division of Revenue and Taxation and the CNMI Treasury.
Essential services involved in law enforcement, public safety, and public health will continue to fully operate.
Further announcements will be made regarding other public services.
Community
Face masks are required in all public indoor spaces, including, but not limited to, common areas of apartment buildings and offices, gyms, shops, cultural facilities, restaurants, bars and night clubs.
Face masks are not required while seated at a food service establishment or actively eating or drinking.
Signage is required to be placed at all entrances indicating that face masks are required inside your facility.
Curfew Hours are now from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Exceptions to curfew hours remain:
• First responders while in performance of their official duties and displaying a Covid-19 Task Force-issued badge
• Any person lawfully employed during the Curfew Hours or is in direct route of going to or returning from their place of employment
• Any person going to or returning from admission to the CHCC hospital or completion of treatment such as hemodialysis.
Businesses
All indoor events must limit attendance to 50% of allowed occupancy, unless vaccination verification or negative test verification is done by the event organizer or establishment owner, in which case 100% occupancy is allowable.
A facility’s occupancy is set by the Department of Public Works Building Code.
The requirement for verification of a Covid-19 vaccination completion is applicable to any guests 12 years and older.
A proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours will be the option for the unvaccinated. Covid-19 tests are free when done at a Community Based Testing site.
Additionally, gathering organizers and establishments must have the means to conduct temperature screening of all employees, patrons, and attendees prior to entering the establishment or participating in the event.
Establishments or organizers must document each patron’s and attendee’s name, phone number, and evidence of verification of completed Covid-19 vaccination or test, which may be documented by recording the date of last vaccination or test, in a log which must be accessible to CNMI officials.
Acceptable proof of vaccination includes an original vaccination card, a photocopy or photograph of a vaccination card, or an immunization record or documentation provided by CHCC or a healthcare provider.
A completed vaccination must meet the following:
• 2 weeks (14 days) after one dose of an accepted single-dose vaccine (J&J vaccines)
• 2 weeks (14 days) after second dose of an accepted 2-dose series (Moderna or Pfizer)
The CNMI Covid-19 Task Force and CHCC continue to urge individuals to practice the 3W’s: wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.
The Covid-19 Infoline has a new number and operating hours. For comments, concerns, and inquiries regarding protocols, call (670) 488-0211 between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Sunday.
If you are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, contact the CHCC Tele-Triage hotline at 233-2067.
The CHCC Tele-Triage hotline runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
