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Atalig urges Torres to bar passenger travel to Rota
Rota Mayor Efraim M. Atalig has urged Gov. Ralph DLG Torres to closed all ports of entry for passenger travel into the municipality to prevent the entry of the coronavirus into Rota.
In a letter dated March 30, 2020 Atalig described the closure of all pots of entry into Rota as “urgent.”
“I grow fearful each day knowing that the people of Rota, most especially our man’amko and those with a compromised immune system, are at risk when the ports of entry remains open. Our limited resources and fragile population on the island [have] added much pressure to my administration to seek your help in requesting that all ports within the municipality of Rota he closed to transporting passengers to/from Saipan unless transporting people for any COVID-19 work or emergency referrals,” he stated in his letter.
Atalig’s request does not cover the continued transport of goods, supplies, and other commodities “for the survival of our people,” on the condition that all captains and crew members should have in their possession a health clearance from Guam or Saipan.
“As the mayor of Rota, making this hard decision is part of the unspoken role of a leader but I must always keep the safety and wellbeing of our community my top priority during this health emergency. It is a critical step for the island of Rota and our people, but one greatly needed as the people need to know that Rota is a safe place and will continue to be so,” he added.
