FILED
Clerk
District Court
FEB 18 2022
for the Northern Mariana Islands
By________________________
(Deputy Clerk)
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
2 FOR THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
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General Order No. 22-00002
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In re:
ORDER
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Courthouse Entry Protocol in Response to the
7 COVID-19 Outbreak and Omicron Variant
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10 Introduction
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On February 8, 2022, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) rescinded
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its mandatory testing upon arrival requirement for all travelers entering the CNMI, while maintaining
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the 5-day post arrival testing requirement for the unvaccinated only. In its announcement, the
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Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force confirmed that the highly contagious omicron variant is present in
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the CNMI and that the CNMI intends to shift its focus from traveler surveillance to medically
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significant community infections. Consequently, the Court issues this General Order to update its entry
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protocol to minimize the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19.
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While testing and quarantine measures have been eased to allow travelers to enter the CNMI
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without mandatory quarantine, this community remains vigilant in its efforts to prevent outbreaks of
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COVID-19, particularly with the recent surge of cases in the CNMI. On February 1, 2022, the CNMI
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reached its highest ever COVID-19 daily diagnosis count of more than 200 confirmed cases. Although
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the Commonwealth has attained 100% fully vaccinated status for eligible individuals, with nearly 55%
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1 of those boosted as of February 16, 2022, mask use in public places and social distancing remains the
2 norm in Commonwealth government offices and business establishments.
3 Before issuing this Order, the Court considered the updated border entry protocol for the
4 CNMI, the contagiousness of the Omicron variant, the latest Centers for Disease Control and
5 Prevention (CDC) Guidance on isolation and quarantine, community practice in the CNMI, and input
6 from the Facility Security Committee, including representatives from the tenant agencies of the Gualo
7 Rai Courthouse.
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Entry Protocol
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Effective today, this Order establishes the requirements for entry into the Gualo Rai
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Courthouse and supersedes General Orders 20-0009, 10 and 12, and 21-00004. Anyone entering the
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building must wear a face mask, sanitize hands upon entering, and exercise social distancing (stay 6
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feet apart from others not in the same household). Mask use and social distancing is required in the
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common areas of the Gualo Rai Courthouse and all court spaces with public access, including
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courtrooms, lobbies, intake areas, interview and testing rooms, jury assembly and deliberation rooms,
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and the library. Court Security will deny entry to:
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• Anyone who is not wearing a face mask.
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• Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the previous 5 days. .
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• Anyone who has had close contact, as defined by the CDC, with a COVID-19 positive
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person within the previous 5 days and has not subsequently tested negative for COVID-19
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using a COVID-19 antigen or PCR test
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• Anyone experiencing undiagnosed or lingering diagnosed COVID-19 related symptoms,
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including:
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1 Fever or chills
2 Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
3 Fatigue
4 Muscle or body aches
5 Headache
6 New loss of taste or smell
7 Sore throat
8 Congestion or runny nose
9 Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
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This entry protocol applies to the public as well as all tenants and employees working in the
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courthouse. Tenant agencies may determine social distancing and mask usage measures for their own
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spaces.
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Public Access
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To maintain social distancing, only a limited number of members of the public will be admitted
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to attend open court proceedings. While courtroom access is limited, public access to court
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proceedings remains available via teleconference line listed on the court’s website. Recording or
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broadcasting any hearing in any manner is strictly prohibited. Violators of this prohibition may be
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found in contempt of court.
20 IT IS SO ORDERED on February 18, 2022.
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_________________________
22 RAMONA V. MANGLONA
Chief Judge
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