THE Legislature is not shutting down despite the temporary restrictions imposed by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres in response to an increase in Covid-19 cases in the CNMI.
Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez and Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider met on Monday morning and decided that both houses will continue to operate.
In a joint memorandum, Villagomez and Hofschneider said, “Due to the recent increases of the spread of the Covid-19 virus in the community, and in our efforts to prevent further spread within the Legislature building,” the following temporary rules will be implemented at the legislative building:
• If they have not been vaccinated yet, lawmakers, their staff members and Legislative Bureau employees are highly encouraged to get vaccinated in the earliest time possible.
• They are also urged to make records of their vaccination status or test results available for review upon request by the presiding officers and the LB director.
• They are highly encouraged to participate in voluntary community-based testing.
• If they are asked by the Covid-19 Task Force to report for testing as a result of contact tracing, they should adhere to the task force’s instruction and report for testing and five-day home quarantine.
• If they have been in contact with a confirmed positive case, they are asked to contact the Covid-19 Task Force to assist with contact tracing.
• No person who is not a lawmaker, staff member, or an LB employee shall be authorized to enter the legislative building, subject to exemption for persons whose attendance is required at legislative hearings or sessions. Persons excluded from the building may opt to deliver items or correspondence at the entrances of the House or Senate.
The temporary rules will remain in effect through the end of December 2021 or until further notice.
The House Judiciary and Governmental Operations committee has subpoenaed the Department of Public Safety commissioner and the governor.
DPS Commissioner Robert A. Guerrero was commanded to appear before the panel on Dec. 7, at 10:30 a.m. in the House chamber, but the hearing has been canceled.
For his part, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres was commanded to appear before the committee at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 10 in the House chamber.
