CLOSURES, CANCELLATIONS, SUSPENSIONS, ETC.

McDonald’s amends operations

Our employee and customer safety and wellbeing remain our highest priority. This commitment guides all our actions and restaurant standards as we strive to safeguard our people and customers during this coronavirus outbreak.
To this reason, McDonald’s dining rooms are currently closed. We’d be happy to serve you in our drive-thru or take out service. (PR)

SCC postpones golf tournament and scholarship program

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce has postponed its scholarship golf tournament previously scheduled April 4 until further notice. Additionally, the Chamber has also postponed its scholarship program until further notice.
For all sponsors and registered players of the scholarship tournament, the Chamber will hold registration forms, payments, and donations. It hopes to reschedule the tournament in the summer months, and they will continue to monitor the community’s health and wellness before announcing a new date of the tournament.
For more information, go to www.facebook.com/saipanchamber or contact Franco Santos at 234-7150 or coordinator@saipanchamber.com. (PR)

OVR closed for two weeks

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation will be closed for two weeks starting last March 16, 2020, in compliance with Executive Order 2020-04 (declaration of state of public health emergency on COVID-19), and as a precautionary measure.
Be advised that all appointments and schedules of meetings and trainings with OVR counselors or staff will be cancelled and rescheduled. Your counselor or caseworker will be contacting you as soon as information regarding the reopening of the OVR office is received.   
 “We know that there have been many concerns for the health and welfare of older adults and people with disabilities as well as yourself, people in your family, the community and the workplace regarding COVID-19. While the immediate risk of infection with COVID-19 for many in the CNMI is low since there are no confirmed cases, protecting the health and safety of at-risk populations is important to us all, therefore preventative measures are critical,” said the agency in a statement.
OVR would like to share a resource on COVID-19 developed by Green Mountain Self-advocates for individuals with ID/DD. This resource is an eight-page booklet about the coronavirus written in plain language. It was created by and for people with developmental disabilities. It focuses on “need to know” information: https://selfadvocacyinfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Plain-Language-Information-on-Coronavirus.pdf. We ask that you share these resources with your friends and family.  Below are links that may be useful for employers and businesses when questions arise in the workplace.
  https://www.chcc.gov.mp/coronavirusinformation.php
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3989.pdf
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic
With the evolving nature of COVID-19, we will provide updates as they are available. We encourage you to use credible resources to regularly check for real-time updates. Thank you ALL for your understanding and support during our challenging times.  Together we will all get through this, we will continue to be Marianas Strong. (PR)

Rescheduled traffic cases

The CNMI Office of the Clerk of Court, Superior Court would like to notify individuals with traffic citations, cases pursuant to a court order issued by Associate Judge Roberto C. Naraja, that were initially scheduled, are rescheduled for:
March 19, 2020, rescheduled to April 23, 2020
March 26, 2020, rescheduled to May 7, 2020
All parties with traffic citation(s) scheduled for hearing (arraignment) during the following date will be held at the Supreme Court courtroom at the Guma Hustisia.
For additional information, contact the Office of the Clerk of Court at telephone number 234-4253, 783-8417, or 783-8522. (PR)

SFA cancels Mahi Mahi Derby

The Saipan Fishermen’s Association wishes to announce the cancellation of the annual Mahi Mahi Fishing Derby, which was scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2020. The SFA is taking this measure to help contain the situation of the COVID-19 virus.
There are no cases of the coronavirus in the Marianas and by taking extra precautions such as the cancellation of these events, the SFA is hopeful that the annual derbies will take place in the near future.
“The SFA is aware of the state of public health emergency declared by our local government, as well as the impact on a global scale,” said SFA president Gene Weaver.
“These are challenging times for all of us and we do recognize the importance of staying strong as a community,” added SFA vice president Tony Scragg.
For more information, log on to the SFA website at sfacnmi.com or call SFA officers at 483-4363 or 483-4597. (PR)

Amended hours at landfill, transfer station

The Solid Waste Management Division is amending the hours of operation of the Marpi landfill & Lower Base transfer station, effective March 23, 2020, until further notice. Both sites will be open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 7:30am to 11am only. Closed on Wednesday. (PR)

USCIS closing offices to the public March 18-April 1

Effective yesterday, March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is suspending in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices and Application Support Centers to help slow the spread of coronavirus disease, OVID-19. This suspension of services will be effective until at least April 1. In the meantime, USCIS will provide limited emergency services. Call the Contact Center for assistance with emergency services.
USCIS field offices will send notices to applicants and petitioners with scheduled appointments and naturalization ceremonies impacted by this closure. USCIS asylum offices will send interview cancellation notices and automatically reschedule asylum interviews. When the interview is rescheduled, asylum applicants will receive a new interview notice with the new time, date and location of the interview. When USCIS again resumes normal operations, USCIS will automatically reschedule ASC appointments due to the office closure. You will receive a new appointment letter in the mail. Individuals who had InfoPass or other appointments must reschedule through the USCIS Contact Center once field offices are open to the public again. Please check to see if your field office has been reopened before reaching out to the USCIS Contact Center.   
Education and precautions are the strongest tools against infection. Get the latest facts by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 website. Continue to practice good health habits, refrain from handshakes or hugs as greetings, and wash hands and clean surfaces appropriately.
USCIS will provide further updates as the situation develops and will continue to follow CDC guidance. Visit uscis.gov/coronavirus for updates. (PR)

AMP amends operations; closes visitor center

The American Memorial Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and local and state authorities to promote social distancing.
As of yesterday, March 18, 2020, the park visitor center is closed until further notice. All educational programs and special events are postponed until further notice. Permits for large gatherings will also not be issued. Where it is possible to adhere to the latest health guidance, visitors may continue to enjoy Micro Beach, the memorials, walking paths, tennis courts and open spaces in the park. 
“The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at American Memorial Park is our number one priority,” said the National Park Service, which runs the park, in a statement yesterday.
It said that NPS is working with the federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, situation. “We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website and social media channels.”
NPS urges visitors to do their part when visiting a park and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.
For high-risk populations, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions, we ask that they take extra caution and follow CDC guidance for those at higher risk of serious illness.
Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Check nps.gov/amme for specific details about park operations or follow @americanmemorialpark. (PR)

US District Court entry protocols

• If you have traveled outside the CNMI within the last 14 days;
• Or if you have had close contact with someone who has traveled outside the CNMI within the last 14 days;
• Or if you’ve been asked to self-quarantine by any doctor, hospital or health agency;
• Or if you’ve been diagnosed with, or have had contact with, anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19;
• Or if you have a fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, or flu symptoms, within the last 72 hours;
Advise the court security officer prior to entering the screening area. You will be denied entry and provided written instructions on what to do next. (PR)