The planned 'travel bubble' between the Northern Marianas and its main tourist market of South Korea is still only in the planning stages.
Photo: RNZ Pacific / Mark Rabago
There has been talk for weeks that the US territory would restart its now dormant but vital visitor arrival industry by launching a connection with Seoul but authorities were still ironing out the kinks.
CNMI Governor, Ralph Torres, said his administration was working with the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Economic Council Advisers on how best to approach the travel bubble.
He said even before they reopen the CNMI to tourists, his administration would make sure the community will be safe.
Governor Ralph Torres Photo: CNMI govt
Meanwhile, there had been a delay in the CNMI getting the potential Covid-19 vaccines according to the local coronavirus taskforce.
The taskforce said vaccine maker, Pfizer, had asked the US Food and Drug Administration for an emergency authorisation, for the vaccine, which it developed with BioNTech.
It said the CNMI would receive the first allocation once the FDA gave such approval.
Initially authorities had said they expected a shipment of the vaccines this week.