Torres: Health and safety over economy

Torres

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres is not in a hurry to reopen the islands.

“I applaud President [Donald J. ] Trump for pushing hard in opening the U.S. economy and I understand how important that is. But in order for me to open the economy of the CNMI in terms of tourism, we need to make sure that our community is safe. This assurance goes for all the islands—Saipan, Tinian, and Rota,” he said.

Trump released guidelines to remove COVID-19-related restrictions on people and businesses about two weeks ago in a bid to reopen the United States and revive its economy. He empowered governors to tailor a system based on the guidelines that the White House released that will best suit their jurisdictions.

Torres knows that opening the CNMI economy next month would be ideal. “However, these things take time. …Our tourism base come from Japan, Korea, and China and this makes it impossible for us to abruptly open our industry back,” he said.

If there is already a vaccine against COVID-19, “then things will be different,” he added.

Torres says the CNMI government—together with its partners like Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. CEO Esther Muña, Dr. John Tudela, Warren Villagomez, and the rest of the COVID-19 Task Force—are doing a great job in keeping the CNMI’s COVID-19 infection rate down.

“We have been keeping our priorities straight, providing our doctors and nurses personal protective equipment and supplies and…mass testing,” he said.

According to Torres, once the CNMI is able to secure the safety of the community, it will be easier for the government to market the CNMI as a tourist destination once again.

“Obviously, this pandemic has made us approach tourism in a totally different light. Now, we want to make sure that the tourists that come here are COVID-19-free and tests—whether at the airport or at the hotel—should be held,” he said.

“Aside from the testing, health clearance should also be given by the government. …Also, once we open our gates to flights, what other criteria do we need to implement? …These are crucial points that we are in discussions with our health care partners and Marianas Visitors Authority,” he added.

Even as the number of reported COVID-19 cases have been reduced to zero, the CNMI is still stocking up on medical equipment and supplies in the event the numbers change.

“The first graph that was presented to me stated a peak of 6,000 cases in mid-May. But graphs also change as recently, there were some changes pushing the peak to June and some in July. Regardless of when the peak will come, my sight and priority was based on the first projection in May and we’re pushing everything so can meet that deadline,” he said.

“If it hits us in May, we are prepared and we will not wait for June or July. Our efforts are fueled by the thought that we have limited time so we need to maximize that time to get prepared and that is why we are stocking up. …We are maximizing our partnership with federal agencies and looking at other stimulus resources, funds, and grants,” he added,

Once the air clears, Torres vows to revive the economy. “…Continue social distancing, proper hygiene, and protect our children and families. Let us recover soon and try to get back our economy,” he said.