Wearing masks and “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) face coverings has been a hot topic since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 3, 2020, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidance on wearing non-medical cloth face coverings in public areas where other social distancing measures are difficult.
On March 19, 2020, I issued the Second Amended Executive Order 2020-04 (hereinafter “SAEO 2020-04”). SAEO 2020-04 declared a continuing State of Significant Emergency and a State of Public Health Emergency for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands due to the imminent threat of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Under SAEO 2020-04, I invoked my authority under Article III, § 10 of the Commonwealth Constitution, the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Act of 2013, 1 CMC § 20144, and the CNMI Emergency Health Powers Act of 2003, 3 CMC §§ 2181-2195, to take all necessary measures to address the threats facing the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (“CNMI”).
Since the beginning of the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force’s quarantine mission assignment, the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority (COTA) has activated its entire fleet of buses and vans in order to safely transport travelers to designated quarantine facilities.
Please be advised that the Administrative Leave Memorandum dated December 29, 2022 regarding Administrative Leave on December 30, 2022 and numbered GOV22-264 is to be recalled and disregarded, effective immediately.
