CNMI updates entry protocol

With approximately 90% of the CNMI’s adult population having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and approximately 84% of its residents already fully vaccinated, combined with the rollout of the pediatric COVID-19 vaccines, the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. will be implementing a comprehensive testing and surveillance strategy that will strengthen the travel process to rapidly identify and contact CNMI residents at risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Effective Nov. 19, 2021, all inbound domestic travelers are required to provide additional contact information on the mandatory health declaration form, and quarantine will be determined by the vaccination status of the traveler and their household.

Travelers verified as fully vaccinated and verified as residing in a fully vaccinated household or lodging are not required to quarantine at all, but will be required to get tested for COVID-19 between Days 3-5 after arrival, depending on their day of exit from the CNMI. If exiting prior to Day 5, their contacts will also be required to test for COVID-19.

Fully vaccinated travelers not verified as residing in a fully vaccinated household or lodging are required to quarantine for five days in a designated government facility, and will be tested after the five-day quarantine. This includes a fully vaccinated traveler residing with children ineligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Unvaccinated travelers are required to quarantine in a designated government facility for seven days, and will be tested after the seven-day quarantine. Any traveler who tests positive for COVID-19 will be isolated in the designated government facility for an additional 10 days.

Travelers are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 if it has been:

• Two weeks (14 days) after their dose of an accepted single-dose or

• Two weeks (14 days) after their second dose of an accepted 2-dose series.

All travelers and residents are reminded to practice the 3 W’s at all times: wear your mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.

Fully vaccinated individuals are responsible for uploading onto their health declaration form proof of completing a COVID-19 vaccine series. The vaccination record must include the following information: vaccine administrator, recipient’s name, recipient’s date of birth, vaccination site, vaccine name, vaccination administration date, lot number, and vaccine expiration date.

For travelers vaccinated outside the CNMI, in addition to the CDC Vaccination Record Card, an official immunization record or an attestation statement may be required by the CHCC Communicable Disease Investigation/Inspection team. The attestation statement confirms that the information provided in the health declaration form is true and is subject to CNMI laws that may lead to criminal fines. For individuals who were vaccinated in the CNMI, vaccination records from CHCC will be used to verify vaccination status.

This new strategy will permit testing on a larger, comprehensive scale to allow for wider surveillance of COVID-19. CHCC will offer community-based testing more than once a week. Community-based testing dates will be announced at covidtesting.chcc.health.

All travelers are encouraged to fill out their health declaration form prior to arrival at www.staysafecnmi.com.

The COVID-19 Infoline has a new number and operating hours. For comments, concerns, and inquiries regarding entry or quarantine protocols, call (670) 488-0211 or email travel@vaccinatecnmi.com. The hotline runs from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday.

The safety of the residents of the CNMI remains the top priority of the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and CHCC. The CNMI is reminded to watch out for misinformation and to follow updates directly from the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and CHCC. The spread of misinformation is just as dangerous as the virus itself.

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, contact the CHCC Tele-Triage hotline at (670) 233- 2067. The hotline runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Updates from the COVID-19 Task Force and the CHCC can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts @governorcnmi and @cnmichcc, as well as through CNMI media partners. (PR)