Prize freeze expanded to include meds, masks, rent

A price freeze on all medicines, medical equipment, and housing rentals took effect last Friday, throughout the CNMI.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres issued the Amended Executive Order 2020-03, strengthening the price freeze set the day before, March 5, to further protect CNMI residents during the coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak, which has gravely impacted the economy.

This follows the declaration of Significant Emergency for the CNMI last Jan. 29, due the significant downturn in the islands’ tourism, as fears of traveling following the global spread of the virus arise.

Under the expanded prize freeze, prices of all medicines, medical equipment, and personal protective equipment, including but not limited to masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers; as well as all housing rentals, including apartments and condominiums, shall not increase.

A price freeze was earlier imposed on gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, natural gas, and all other chemical fuel, whether in gaseous, liquid, or solid form; all foods and foodstuffs, including water, bottled water, beverages, and ice; and all clothing.

Prices of flashlights, lamps, lanterns, candles, light bulbs, and other means of illumination; generators, cables, wires, electrical batteries of every sort, and similar equipment for the generation and/or transmission of electrical power; and all appliances used in the storage and/or preparation of food, including, but not limited to, stoves, barbecue grilles, ovens, refrigerators, and coolers, have also earlier been frozen.

It also included a price freeze on all bedding items, including pillows, futons and blankets; and on tools typically used for construction, ground clearing, or home repairs, whether electrically powered, chemically powered, or manual, including, but not limited to, saws, machetes, hammers, drills, shovels, rakes, and brooms.

The governor noted last week that protecting the health and safety of residents includes protecting their ability to provide for their families during the unanticipated economic downturn brought by COVID-19.

Torres, however, clarified that businesses are not inhibited from selling items at prices lower than prices at current levels.

Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios reiterated the call for the entire CNMI to come together and help each other out.

“This is an unprecedented economic crisis, and as a government, we will continue to protect our residents so they can meet their basic necessities. Now, more than ever, is the time to come together as one Commonwealth and look out for each other,” Palacios added.

The price freeze will remain in effect until rescinded or until the declaration of significant emergency is terminated.