Press Releases

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today informed Governor Ralph DLG. Torres that additional federal emergency aid has been made available for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to supplement the Commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic beginning on Jan. 20, 2020, and continuing.

On March 27, 2020, President Donald J. Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act includes provision for a refundable tax credit, widely known as a “stimulus check” that applies to the CNMI and other US territories.

Governor Ralph DLG. Torres, the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force, and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) announced the confirmation of four new COVID-19 cases in the CNMI.

The CNMI Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services (DFEMS) has expanded their personnel as part of the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force in response to the global pandemic.

Governor Ralph DLG. Torres, the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force, and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC), has confirmed that one patient suspected of COVID-19 passed away yesterday, March 30, 2020.

Pursuant to Directive 10 and Directive 16 of the Second Amended Executive Order 2020-04 (CNMI Public Health Emergency Declaration) by Governor Ralph DLG. Torres, the CNMI Department of Public Safety (DPS), will be strictly enforcing social gatherings of more than 10 people and the enhanced curfew hours for all CNMI residents, both minors (under the age of 18) throughout the three municipalities (Saipan, Tinian and Aguiguan, and Rota) of the Commonwealth.

Governor Ralph DLG. Torres signed an agreement on Sunday afternoon with the US Department of Labor to implement the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for CNMI workers who were recently affected by the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Governor Ralph DLG. Torres announced on Sunday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) has approved the CNMI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs – Nutrition Assistance Program’s (DCCA-NAP) requests for waivers to temporarily modify certain NAP procedures and services due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19 while undertaking precautionary measures which conforms to protecting the health and safety of our communities. The DCCA-NAP informs new and ongoing recipients of the following changes:

Governor Ralph DLG. Torres, the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force, and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) announced on Saturday that two specimens sent to Guam Public Health Laboratory has been confirmed positive for COVID-19.

Governor Ralph DLG. Torres expressed his gratitude to President Donald J. Trump and the U.S. Congress for delivering urgent economic support to the CNMI by enacting the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law on March 27, 2020.