CNMI Governor Ralph Torres’ COVID-19 Task Force and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation have announced that tomorrow, June 13, will be the last day for the CNMI Community-Based Testing Initiative at the Saipan and Rota airports as well as at the Rota and Tinian Health centers.
Individuals who have properly registered and received a confirmation IDs will still be allowed to test on Saturday, but after Saturday, community-based testing will be suspended in order to shift CNMI efforts toward the villages.
To better accommodate work schedules/requirements and people with limited
transportation, the Governor’s Task Force and CHCC are exploring ways to increase access to testing through business and precinct-based testing. Details on this next phase of community-based testing will be provided soon.
Since April 28, 2020, the CNMI Community-Based Testing Initiative has tested over 7,500 people for COVID-19 on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. This is approximately 14 percent of the CNMI’s population.
The Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and CHCC remind the public that getting tested for
COVID-19 does not improve response to the illness, nor does it reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting the disease. People who are tested and have a negative result, are still vulnerable to the virus.
The Task Force and CHCC continue to encourage residents within the Marianas to practice social distancing, which means avoiding close contact with people in order to avoid catching the virus yourself and to avoid passing it on to others.
