GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres on Friday said all executive branch employees were given enough time to comply with his directive mandating that they get the Covid-19 vaccine.
He noted that the directive, which he signed in February, allows exemptions for medical and religious reasons.
As for the nine firefighters who were terminated, he said they never sought to be exempted; they simply refused to comply with the directive.
The termination notices sent by the fire department to the nine firefighters were reviewed and signed by the Office of Personnel Management and the Attorney General’s Office.
Governor Torres noted that some of the furloughed executive branch employees had to get the vaccine as well when they returned to work.
“If we work in the government [or] in the private sector, we all have obligations. Among these obligations today in the executive branch is to get vaccinated to help ensure the safety of the community,” he said.
He hopes that the nine firefighters find a workplace that does not require taking the Covid-19 vaccine, the governor said.
For now, however, he said every executive branch employee must get vaccinated.
The terminated firefighters said they will file a civil lawsuit against the CNMI government.
Ralph DLG Torres
