EFFECTIVE Tuesday, Aug. 3, the CNMI will implement on-arrival PCR screening tests for all inbound travelers based on the guidance provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the Covid-19 Delta variant.
The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation and the Governor’s Covid-19 Task Force have been carefully monitoring the Covid-19 Delta variant and its threat to the CNMI, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said on Monday.
“While we have not had a reported case of the Delta variant on our islands yet, we continue to screen inbound passengers in order to protect our people, which we have successfully done. We continue to encourage our community to get vaccinated and wear masks indoors and in public places,” he said.
CHCC Chief Executive Officer Esther L. Muna, for her part, said, “The Covid-19 Delta variant’s increased transmissibility underscores the need to screen inbound travelers on arrival and for our residents to continue practicing the 3 Ws [wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance].”
“But the best tool against this pandemic is the Covid-19 vaccination. If you are eligible to get a Covid-19 vaccine, get vaccinated to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community,” she added.
CHCC is urging CNMI residents to continue practicing the 3 Ws, especially wearing masks indoors and around individuals whose vaccination status is unknown. Wearing a mask and getting vaccinated against Covid-19 are the best steps to contain the spread of Covid-19, CHCC said.
Fully vaccinated travelers are able to quarantine with Restriction of Movement, or ROM, in the lodging of their choice after being verified for completing their Covid-19 vaccination, or being “vax verified,” and passing a lodging or household assessment.
After notification of a negative result from arrival testing, “vax verified” travelers will have a modified ROM, which would allow them to work and perform essential movement only, with strict adherence to practicing the 3 Ws, including wearing a mask in all public spaces, until they test negative on their fifth day test.
CHCC and the Covid-19 Task Force can further modify ROM, depending on the ability to maintain social distancing inside the workplace, on the exposure risk to an identified positive case, or as deemed necessary.
According to the governor’s office, 2,296 travelers were tested on arrival since the start of the “vax verified” release program. Of this number, three tested positive on the fifth day but were asymptomatic.
Contact tracing found two persons who were deemed high-risk contacts, but both tested negative for Covid-19 and were asymptomatic.
The six positive cases announced on Sunday, Aug. 1 did not report any Covid-19 vaccination.
They were tested on arrival and have since been quarantined.
Getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalization, and death, CHCC said.
To register for Covid-19 vaccinations, visit www.vaccinatecnmi.com, call 682-SHOT, or walk into any vaccination outreach site.
All travelers are required to show up to their scheduled fifth day testing.
Should any individual test positive during any test, they will be isolated at the government quarantine facility.
If you are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, contact the CHCC Tele-Triage hotline at 233-2067.
For comments, concerns, and inquiries, call the Governor’s Covid-19 Task Force hotline at 287-0046/0489/1089, or email travel@vaccinatecnmi.com
Both hotlines run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Members of the public are reminded to watch out for misinformation and to follow updates directly from the Governor’s Covid-19 Task Force or CHCC.
“The spread of misinformation is just as dangerous as the virus itself,” the governor’s office said.
