With people swarming supermarkets to stock up Sunday after Guam initially announced its three positive COVID-19 cases, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres has appealed to the community to not panic and to shop only for what is needed.<\/p>\n
Following the governor\u2019s declaration of the CNMI under a state of public health emergency and a continued state of significant emergency, residents formed lines in stores to stock up on food items. <\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, we\u2019re trying to encourage our community, if you\u2019re [going to] go [shopping], just shop for what you need, because the delivery of goods will continue to come at a normal pace,\u201d Torres said during a KKMP interview last Tuesday. <\/p>\n
\u201cDo we have challenges? Of course. Are we concerned? Of course. [But] we shouldn\u2019t be panicking [or be] in a panic mode because, no matter what that situation is, being in a panic mode\u2014panicked family, panicked community [and] society\u2014does not help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Legislators have also appealed to the community to also remember others when buying anything.<\/p>\n
Rep. Tina Sablan (Ind-Saipan), for one, asked everyone to remember that one\u2019s ability to maintain good health depend on everyone else\u2019s ability to do so as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you shop, buy what you need and leave some for others. Be considerate. If you are a storeowner, please consider posting signs reminding people that shipping supply lines remain consistent so customers should only buy what they need,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n
The governor also said that the administration is in communication with the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard, and that the delivery of all shipments that have been ordered are on time and on schedule.<\/p>\n
Torres is also urging businesses to prioritize sanitation. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor the businesses, obviously, we all share the same pain, but the priority is having sanitation for every customer that come to your business,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Torres administration is also working with the Small Business Administration, with the governor sending a letter to ask SBA to look into the needs in the CNMI, given the pandemic, and how to move forward in addressing to assist all of the small businesses on the island.<\/p>\n
President Donald J. Trump, during his declaration of a national emergency last Friday, has ordered SBA to provide economic loans in COVID-19 affected territories.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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