The CNMI Government has begun community-based testing for COVID-19 at the Saipan International Airport.
Members of the CNMI Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force were on hand to facilitate the specimen collection and testing workflow at the airport.
To ensure social distancing directives are followed, Saipan residents were asked to register ahead of time to get their nasal specimen collected.
The airport’s arrival and departure areas were used to accommodate the drive-thru specimen collection from registered vehicle passengers.
In a video released by the CNMI Governor’s Office, CHCC Chief Executive Officer Esther L. Muña said this specimen collection workflow supports social distancing measures to both reduce the risk of transmission at the testing site and maintain distance between those being tested at the CHCC main facility.
“Community testing will help us to identify people who may be infected with the virus especially those who may be pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic So we can direct these people to the appropriate care, contain the virus, and prevent its spread using tools such as quarantine, isolation, and contact tracing,” Muña said.
Saipan residents can now register for community testing online. To make an appointment, check out the CHCC website and fill out the form.
While community testing is now available in Saipan, the CNMI COVID Task Force says plans for community testing for Rota and Tinian are forthcoming.
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