Press Releases

Governor Ralph DLG. Torres expressed his gratitude to President Donald J. Trump and the U.S. Congress for delivering urgent economic support to the CNMI by enacting the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law on March 27, 2020.

Effective last Monday, March 23, 2020, pursuant to Governor Ralph DLG Torres’s Executive Order 2020-05, Directive #8, all individuals entering the CNMI have been ordered to quarantine at a designated site for 14 days.  Incoming travelers will also be enrolled into the Text Illness Monitoring (T.I.M.) system, which alerts CHCC staff when enrollees report symptoms.

Governor Ralph DLG. Torres and the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC) announced on Wednesday that CUC will be offering a payment deferment or due date extension for residential customers in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and its effect on CNMI residents.  

In addition to the numerous requests for federal assistance to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the Marianas, Governor Ralph DLG. Torres has formally sent a letter of recommendations of measures that require congressional action to Congressman Gregorio Kilili Sablan to complement the CNMI’s response to the global pandemic.

Governor Ralph DLG. Torres, through the Department of Finance, Division of Revenue & Taxation (DRT), announced special relief to individuals and businesses in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Governor Ralph DLG. Torres announced that the Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Douglas W. Domenech has awarded the CNMI a total of $366,900 through the Office of Insular Affairs’ (OIA) Technical Assistance Program (TAP) for personal protective equipment (PPE) and hygienic supplies for government first responders to prevent the outbreak of COVID-19 in the CNMI.

In an effort to assist small businesses with existing disaster loans during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the U.S. Small Business Administration has informed Governor Ralph DLG. Torres that all SBA disaster loan payments will automatically be deferred through December 31, 2020.

Governor Torres announces economic injury disaster loans for small businesses

In conformance with the Governor’s Public Health Emergency declaration and for ensuring the protocols for social distancing are in place, the Nutrition Assistance Program will be distributing April 2020 benefits through drive-thru service at their office location in As Lito. 

On Monday, March 23, 2020, Governor Ralph DLG. Torres added Directive 14 to his Second Amended Executive Order 2020-04, declaring a continued state of significant emergency and public health emergency for the CNMI due to the COVID-19 pandemic.