Northern Marianas Islands: Restaurants allow dine-in and nightly curfew eased as of May 26 /update 2

Event

Authorities announced on Tuesday, May 26, that the current curfew orders due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak will be eased in the Northern Marianas Islands. The current 7-hour curfew between 22:00 and 05:00 (local time) will be changed to a six-hour curfew between 23:00 to 05:00.

Separately, restaurants are now allowed to open for dine-in. Church services are being allowed to resume, gyms can operate, and the tourist hotspot of Managaha Island is to reopen again. However, the new measures still limit gatherings to no more than ten people in the same room, and church services will be limited to 25 percent capacity with necessary social distancing and sanitation measures in place. Non-contact recreational activities are also permitted so long as they adhere to similar guidelines.

All flights in and out of the territory remain suspended and the borders are closed. Freight and medical transport will not be disrupted, including the daily mail service to Guam. United Airlines has already suspended its services from Saipan, as have most Asian airlines. Star Marianas Air has also suspended its inter-island flights from Friday, April 3, although cargo and medical evacuation flights between Saipan, Tinian, and Rota have continued.

To date, there are 22 confirmed COVID-19 cases and two associated fatalities in the Northern Marianas Islands. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly, and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay. To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.