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”).
Pursuant to my invocation, and within the SAEO 2020-04, at Directive 8, among other things, I ordered that “[a]ll persons who are traveling into the CNMI, who originate from a country with an identified COVID-19 outbreak, inclusive of Guam, Hawaii, and CONUS, must exercise self- quarantine for 14 consecutive days as prescribed by CHCC.” I also ordered that, effective March 22, 2020, any individual entering into the CNMI whose ultimate destination is the island of Tinian or the island of Rota shall exercise the 14-day quarantine on the island of Saipan before traveling on to Tinian or Rota.
Since the issuance of SAEO 2020-04 and its version of Directive 8, circumstances have changed necessitating an amendment to Directive 8. COVID-19 is spreading on Guam. Further, discussions with CHCC indicate that, given the CNMI’s resources, prevention and containment of COVID-19 would be best aided by having all persons entering into the CNMI be quarantined in a more closely monitored environment than self-quarantining would provide. Such an environment would include putting travelers into facilities designated for quarantine.
For these reasons, Directive 8 of the SAEO 2020-04, is amended to read as follows:
(a) All persons who are traveling into the CNMI, including CNMI residents, who originate from a country with an identified COVID-19 outbreak, inclusive of Guam, Hawaii, and the Continental United States, must exercise self-quarantine for 14 consecutive days as prescribed by CHCC. These individuals will be enrolled in the CHCC COVID-19 text-based illness monitoring system and will be subject to
monitoring and follow up with CHCC per their surveillance protocols. Failure to comply with CHCC self-quarantine protocol will subject the person to an order of isolation and quarantine. Individuals, including pilots and flight crew, with return flights within less than fourteen (14) days of arrival will be permitted to depart the CNMI.
Notwithstanding the prior paragraph, effective March 23, 2020, at 8:00 a.m., all persons who are traveling into the CNMI, including CNMI residents, who originate from a country with an identified COVID-19 outbreak, inclusive of Guam, Hawaii, and the Continental United States, shall be quarantined for a 14 consecutive day period in a manner prescribed by CHCC. Individuals, including pilots and flight crew, with return flights within less than fourteen (14) days of arrival will be permitted to depart the CNMI.
(b) TINIAN OR ROTA, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. (1) Any individual entering into the CNMI by air transport whose ultimate destination is the island of Tinian or the island of Rota shall exercise the 14-day quarantine required under paragraph (a) on the island of Saipan before traveling on to Tinian or Rota.
(2) Any individual entering the CNMI by vessel must first proceed to Saipan, report to the proper authorities and CHCC, and then serve the 14-day quarantine period required under paragraph (a) on the island of Saipan before traveling on to Tinian, Rota or any other island of the CNMI.
(3) Upon successful completion of the 14-day quarantine period required by (1) or (2), CHCC shall issue a document stating that the individual is asymptomatic. The individual must present the document to any airline or vessel when checking in for a flight or voyage to Tinian or Rota, or to custom or port authorities as may be necessary. The airline or vessel shall not permit to be boarded any individual subject to quarantine under paragraph (a) who does not present such a document.
(c) CHCC shall coordinate with CPA, the CNMI Customs Service, MVA and any other necessary government agencies, commonwealth or federal, to develop and implement other protocols, quarantine measures and other increased monitoring and controls at the Commonwealth airports and seaports as to all arriving travelers, passengers and cargo for screening for COVID-19.
Through the enhanced quarantine measures directed under these amendments, as well as the other measures authorized by SAEO 2020-04, it is hoped that the COVID-19 infection will be prevented or contained in the CNMI.
Sincerely,
RALPH DLG. TORRES
Governor
