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EXCEPT FOR DFEMS
‘90% of Executive Branch now vaccinated’
Other than the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, the Executive Branch of the CNMI government has a high 90% rate of complying with mandatory vaccination for COVID-19, according to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.
In fact, with the exception of some firefighters who refuse to be vaccinated and some employees who were exempted—either because of their medical condition or because of religious reasons—the compliance rate actually approaches nearly 100%, Torres said.
“Overall, I believe other than the furloughs that were brought back, everybody is about the same high 90 percentile,” he said in response to a question about mandatory vaccination during a radio news briefing last Friday. “I believe all of them have addressed the vaccine issue. And I want to thank all, not just the departments but individually and their families, for understanding how important this vaccination is for our community.”
Torres said that getting vaccinated is the new norm for everyone.
Torres issued a directive last February that made it mandatory for all Executive Branch employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as a means to prevent the spread of the virus and to ensure a healthy and safe work environment. The directive applies also to employees of semi-autonomous agencies and entities.
Under this policy, all Executive Branch employees are mandated to either complete the vaccination program or obtain an approved exemption accommodation.
