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Testing upon arrival removed for fully vaccinated travelers
Fifth-day testing after arrival still in force
The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. and the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force are easing one aspect of the entry protocols: Effective July 28, 2021, verified fully vaccinated travelers are no longer required to test upon arrival into the CNMI by sea or air, but will still be tested on the fifth day after arrival.
Fully vaccinated travelers are not required to quarantine after being verified for completing their COVID-19 vaccination (“vax verified”) and passing a lodging or household assessment. If travelers from Level 2 or higher jurisdictions fail their household assessment or their vaccinations cannot be verified by a secondary document, travelers will be required to quarantine at a government quarantine facility.
“Vax verified” individuals are individuals who have uploaded onto their health declaration form proof of completing a COVID-19 vaccine series. CDC Vaccination Record Cards are not vaccination records accepted for travel into the CNMI. For individuals who were vaccinated in the CNMI, vaccination records from CHCC will be used to verify vaccination status.
For individuals who were vaccinated elsewhere, they will have to provide an official immunization record from their vaccine provider that 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.
Before entering the CNMI, all travelers are encouraged to fill out the mandatory health declaration form at https://governor.gov.mp/covid-19/travel for faster processing.
All travelers are required to show up to their scheduled fifth-day test. Should any individual test positive during any test, they will be isolated at the government quarantine facility.
Although 70% of the CNMI’s eligible population have already completed their COVID-19 vaccine series, CHCC and the task force still urge residents to practice the 3 Ws (wear a mask, wash your hands, watch your distance) when interacting with individuals whose vaccine status is undetermined.
“Our priority remains to ensure everyone is protected while allowing for a safe and quick process to enter the CNMI,” said CHCC chief executive officer Esther L. Muña. “Now that we are on the road to hit 80% of our eligible population being fully vaccinated, we should remain cautious while keeping the momentum in our favor.”
Travelers applying for any modified quarantine may receive an application decision after they arrive and may be required to quarantine at the designated government facility pending approval. It is recommended to apply at least 72 hours prior to arrival into the CNMI, as requests are processed in the order of receipt and validation.
The CNMI is reminded to watch out for misinformation and to follow updates directly from the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and the CHCC. The spread of misinformation is just as dangerous as the virus itself.
Consider registering for COVID-19 vaccinations at www.vaccinatecnmi.com, by calling the CHCC call center at 682-SHOT (7468), or registering in person at any vaccination site.
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)
Editor’s Note: This story’s second paragraph was updated on July 28,2021, at 9:21pm at the request of CHCC.
