TRAVEL protocols are due to change this week, but only for vaccinated individuals, Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. Chief Executive Officer Esther L. Muna said Friday.
Fully vaccinated individuals will be tested upon arrival, as opposed to just being tested on the fifth day after their arrival, and will no longer be required to quarantine.
Protocols for unvaccinated individuals, however, remain the same.
Unvaccinated travelers are required to quarantine in a designated government facility for seven days, and will be tested after the 7-day quarantine. Any traveler who tests positive for Covid- 19 will be isolated in the designated government facility for an additional 10 days.
Travelers are considered fully vaccinated for Covid-19 if it has been 14 days after their dose of an accepted single-dose, or after their second dose of an accepted two-dose series
“This is following the CDC guidelines, protecting this community and protecting you and your family,” said CEO Muna.
Following the CNMI Safe Travel Summit in mid-November, all inbound domestic travelers are required to provide additional contact information on the mandatory health declaration form, and quarantine will be determined by the vaccination status of the traveler and their household.
Travelers verified as fully vaccinated and verified as residing in a fully vaccinated household or lodging are not required to quarantine at all, but will be required to get tested for Covid-19 between days three to five after arrival, depending on their day of exit from the CNMI. If exiting the CNMI prior to day five, their contacts will also be required to be tested for Covid-19.
New home isolation protocols are available if an individual tests positive and is asymptomatic, or showing no symptoms of Covid-19.
Home isolation orders are given to the individual who can provide evidence that they can home isolate safely for 10 days, without putting others in the household at risk of infection.
If it is determined that the individual cannot safely isolate at home, for reasons such as they reside with a family member who has underlying health conditions or is immunocompromised, isolation at the designated government facility will be ordered or offered as an option.
If an individual tests positive and is symptomatic, or showing signs of symptoms of Covid-19, then the individual is required to be in quarantine for 10 days at the designated government facility.
For individuals who are close contacts of confirmed positive cases, their Covid-19 vaccination status will be considered. After being identified as a close contact, fully vaccinated close contacts will be tested as soon as possible. They will not be ordered to quarantine of any kind, and must return for their 5th-day test. If their test returns positive for Covid-19, they will go through the process of being confirmed as a positive case.
Unvaccinated close contacts will be tested when identified, will be ordered to home quarantine, and must return for their fifth day testing. If their test returns positive for Covid-19, they will go through the process of being confirmed as a positive case.
All travelers and residents are reminded to practice the 3Ws at all times: wear your mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.
Fully vaccinated individuals are responsible for uploading their health declaration form proof of completing a Covid-19 vaccine series.
The vaccination record must include the following information: vaccine administrator, recipient’s name, recipient’s date of birth, vaccination site, vaccine name, vaccination administration date, lot number, and vaccine expiration date.
For travelers vaccinated outside the CNMI, in addition to the CDC Vaccination Record Card, an official immunization record or an attestation statement may be required by the CHCC Communicable Disease Investigation/Inspection team.
The attestation statement confirms that the information provided in the health declaration form is true and is subject to CNMI laws that may lead to criminal fines.
For individuals who were vaccinated in the CNMI, vaccination records from CHCC will be used to verify vaccination status.
All travelers are encouraged to fill out their health declaration form prior to arrival at www.staysafecnmi.com
For comments, concerns, and inquiries regarding entry or quarantine protocols, call the Covid-19 Hotline (670) 488-0211 or email travel@vaccinatecnmi.com
