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Apatang: We have to be careful
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Posted on Nov 03 2020
With the number of COVID-19 cases continuing to rise due to incoming passengers who test positive, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang believes that opening up the CNMI’s borders would require the Commonwealth to be careful and not get tourist from hot spots, where COVID-19 cases appear to be spiking.
Apatang acknowledges that, although the CNMI does want to see tourists coming in, it has to be sure “that we don’t get tourist from hot spot areas, look at the reports on the countries that surround the CNMI and not allow them to come in if their number of infections appear to be going up.
Apatang said that the Torres-Palacios administration, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., and the COVID-19 Task Force are doing a “super job” and he praised the protocols in place for entry point testing and catching the passengers who are positive for COVID-19. “We’re very lucky because we catch them and put them in quarantine until they’re recovered, but if we allow those people in the hot spot areas to come in, we are in trouble,” said Apatang. He added that the CNMI’s own neighboring island, Guam, is still trying to control the COVID-19 situation, yet still see quite a number of cases.
Apatang also appreciates that the community is cooperating, adding that everyone appears to be wearing masks when going out to the store or the restaurant. “If we take care of ourselves we’ll be okay, and hopefully, this virus will go away,” he said.
Apatang sees the past fiscal year 2020 as “one to remember for years to come.” The Saipan municipality was forced to let go of 32 employees. Thanks to a Technical Assistance Program grant his office obtained from the Office of Insular Affairs, they were able to bring back 11 employees. “We were very fortunate that we got the TAP grant to help us out and bring these guys back, so we can continue to provide services to our community,” he said.
Apatang stated that the individuals who are on the TAP grant are on 80 hours and will be at the mayor’s office until December. However, he is looking for ways to have them continue their jobs after that.
