THINGS TO KNOW – May 22, 2020

As of May 21, 2020. All information may change without prior notice. For corrections and additions to this list, send an email to editor@saipantribune.com or call 235-6397 or 235-2440.

SFA raffle draw postponed to December

The Tasi to Table Youth Fishing Club and the Saipan Fishermen’s Association have rescheduled the raffle slated for July 2020 to Dec. 12, 2020, at 3pm, at the Smiling Cove Marina on Saipan. Persons need not be present to win. Winners will be contacted to pick up prizes. For mode details, click on link at www.saipantribune.com.
The grand prize is a brand new 16-foot Morning Star aluminum hull boat with a 60hp 4-stroke outboard motor that comes with a trailer, Bimini top, hand-held VHF radio, navigation lights, fuel tank, life jackets and emergency flare set. A complete boat package was originally to be offered during the SFA’s 36th annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament slated for July 2020.

Updated Government Resource list

The CNMI government has issued an updated government resource listing as of May 19, 2020, which includes all government offices and agencies that are operational and offering services to the public during the governor’s public health emergency. See Page 10 of today’s Saipan Tribune. For additional details, click on link at www.saipantribune.com.

JKPL reopens with limited services

Effective yesterday, May 21, 2020, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library facility reopened for limited public services by appointment only to ensure health and safety of our patrons. Also, effective yesterday, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library hours of operation will be from Tuesday to Friday, from 9am to 4pm. For more details, click on link at www.saipantribune.com.

CUC Customer Center hours

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. would like to inform the public of its new business hours for the CUC Customer Center. The center will be open Monday through Friday, from 7:30 am to 3pm to assist customers with their CUC accounts and/or payment to CUC/ prepaid load purchase.
Customers are also encouraged to use the following options for CUC bill payments:
• For online payments, log into www.cucgov.org
• For pay-by-phone, dial 1-855-729-2282
• Other locations for CUC bill payment: Bank of Saipan, Bank of Guam, Bank of Hawaii
For emergencies, contact the CUC Customer Call Center (664-4282) and monitor CUC’s Facebook page for the latest updates.

OVR resumes normal office hours

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s office hours have resumed back to Monday to Friday, from 7:30am to 4:30pm.
Modified VR services during the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be in effect. Individuals needing to apply for OVR services are still encouraged to reach out to OVR via phone at (670) 322-6537 / 6538. A staff member will provide further information on our modified processes.
If you have access to the internet and would like more information, visit www.ovrgov.net to view OVR requirements. If you do not have access to the internet, inform our offices and an information/ referral/orientation packet will be mailed to you.

BECQ announces updated hours of operation

The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality has announced that they are now providing services to the public from Monday to Friday, 9am – 3pm, during the current government shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
BECQ will be practicing social distancing and safety measures for the protection of their visitors and staff. The designated visitor’s entrance will be the BECQ main entrance and visitors parking will be in the front of the BECQ building. For details, click on link at www.saipantribune.com

FAQs: Employee Retention Credit under the CARES Act

The Employee Retention Credit under the CARES Act encourages businesses to keep employees on their payroll. The refundable tax credit is 50% of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19. For details, go to https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-employee-retention-credit-under-the-cares-act.

How Trump admin is supporting the CNMI

The Trump administration outlines how it is supporting the people of the CNMI in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. For details, click on link at www.saipantribune.com.

USDA outlines telehealth service changes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture issues a summary of key service changes to increase the use of telehealth in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures include allowing rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers to serve as “distant site” providers, increasing the types of services that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services can deliver via telehealth, and allowing certain telehealth services to be delivered to Medicare recipients by phone. For details, go to https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDARD/bulletins/289d418.

USDA RD takes steps to help

USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Rural Development will keep our customers, partners, and stakeholders continuously updated as more actions are taken to better serve rural America. Visit www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirus for more information. Or click on https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDARD/bulletins/2894700.

SBA Fact Sheet

The U.S. Small Business Administration has issued a “Fact Sheet for the CNMI” about the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Read it by clicking on the link at www.saipantribune.com.

Commerce Department in operation

The CNMI Department of Commerce will continue to provide services to the CNMI business community via means of teleworking.
For direct support and services, the CNMI is advised to contact the support team via the department’s website at info@commerce.gov.mp and indicate the attention to the respective division or section for the appropriate services. See DOC advisory at the link at www.saipantribune.com.

FBI alert vs online scams

FBI issue an alert to the public to be on the lookout for scams that exploit the current COVID-19 pandemic. See FBI advisory at the link on www.saipantribune.com.

Process for mass testing

Mass testing for COVID-19 is ongoing at the Saipan International Airport. The test is free. People interested in being tested for COVID-19 can request for an appointment for specimen collection on the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. website at https://chcc.gov.mp/covid19testing.php or over the phone through the COVID-19 Info Line. For more information, see link at www.saipantribune.com.