JIC RELEASE NO. 115 - Governor Signs Executive Order 2020-14, Guam in PCOR 2 Sunday; Pandemic Condition of Readiness FAQs

COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day. Cumulative test results will be provided this evening once all tests from today are finalized.

To date, there have been 151 cases confirmed through COVID-19 testing provided with 5 deaths and 122 released from isolation. As this is an evolving situation, information is subject to change with little to no notice. 

For updated information on COVID-19 cases on Guam, visit the COVID-19 Dashboard at http://dphss.guam.gov/covid-19/. 

Executive Order 2020-14, PCOR 2 on Sunday, May 10

Today, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order 2020-14, relative to the declaration of Pandemic Condition of Readiness (PCOR) 2 on Sunday, May 10, 2020 at 8 a.m. Refer to the attached Pandemic Condition of Readiness FAQs. 

EO 2020-14 also covers the following: 

• All businesses are to operate by implementing measures as outlined in the document, Minimum Pandemic Workplace Operational Requirements, as issued by the DPHSS. 

• Social gatherings or congregations are limited to no more than ten (10) people. 

• All Government of Guam parks and beaches continue to be closed to all activities except for individual use. 

• All businesses that were allowed to operate during PCOR 1 may continue to operate. Other businesses now allowed to operate shall be limited to those listed in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-07 and any other future published guidances. Businesses who are allowed to operate will no longer be restricted to selling only essential items. 

• Any place of business or public accommodation shall operate at no greater than 50% occupancy.  

• The Government of Guam continues to operate in a limited capacity. Some agency offices remain completely closed. Several agencies are operational, but closed to public access. All members of the public needing government services are asked to contact agencies and departments by email or phone. Regardless of operational status of an agency/department, all government of Guam employees remain on regular work status and are expected to report for duty within two (2) hours from receiving notice from his/her supervisor.

To view DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-07, visit /sites/default/files/DPHSS-Guidance-Memo-2020-07-final.pdf

Park and Beach Usage
All government of Guam parks and beaches remain closed to all activities except for individual use for purposes of exercise, both physical and mental, subject to social distancing mandates. 

Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere to the social distancing directives issued by law enforcement or law enforcement partners to include representatives from the Mayors Council of Guam who assist in the enforcement of the mandates in effect. The community should also adhere to any closure signs or barricades.  

DPHSS Division of Environmental Health Processing Center Section Updates
DPHSS Division of Environmental Health’s Processing Center Section will remain closed until further notice. As a result, applications for new and renewing Health Certificates will not be accepted and processed. Health Certificates expiring from Feb. 16, 2020 to May 22, 2020 will continue to be valid until further notice.

Additionally, Refresher and Interim Food Safety Health Certificate Training Courses, which were scheduled from March 16, 2020 to May 22, 2020, will be rescheduled to another date with no additional fees. As a reminder, employers with employees who possess an Interim-New Health Certificate are to be overseen by a manager or supervisor with a Manager’s Certification to ensure these employees are given supervision in food safety practices while at work.

The public is instructed to refrain from going to the Division of Environmental Health and Northern Public Health for inquiries about Health Certificate, Sanitary Permit, or Guam Controlled Substances Registration; instead, call (671) 300-9568 for assistance, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Flatten the Curve: Stay Home if Sick, Keep a Minimum of Six Feet Between You, Others
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Do your part, and encourage others to flatten the curve by:

• Staying home, especially when you are sick.

• Keeping away from others who are sick and limiting face-to-face contact with others. 

• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Wearing face coverings when in public.

• Practice routine cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces.

For more information on how to protect yourself, your family, and your community, please visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html

For inquiries on COVID-19, contact 311 through a local number, or call the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.

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Pandemic Condition of Readiness FAQs 2020-01 (as of May 8, 2020)

1. What is the Pandemic Condition of Readiness (PCOR) system?

The Pandemic Condition of Readiness (PCOR) system determines gradual lifting of public mandates and restrictions based on specific circumstances and medically-driven and public health readiness triggers that inform a decision by the Governor. There are four phases to this system, ranging from PCOR 1 (maximum restrictions) to PCOR 4 (no restrictions). 

2. What is PCOR 2?

PCOR 2 is the level with moderate restrictions and is intended to signal a positive movement toward normalcy. The PCOR 2 goals involve an effort to continue to slow the possible spread of COVID-19 while being able to gradually re-open certain business, non-governmental organization, government, and individual activities.

3. What triggers must be met to inform a decision to move from PCOR 1 to PCOR 2: The following triggers must be met to inform a decision to shift from PCOR 1 to PCOR 

   1. CASES: Downward trend of confirmed cases and a downward trend of positive tests as a percentage of total tests within a 14-day period, utilizing a 5-day rolling average; 

   2. HOSPITALIZATION: Guam hospitals are able to treat all inpatients without resorting to crisis standards of care due to an increased rate of COVID-19 cases; 

   3. TESTING: Guam has the capacity to test all people with COVID-19 symptoms;

   4. CONTACT TRACING: The DPHSS has the capacity to conduct adequate monitoring of all COVID-19 cases and tracings of their contacts. 

4. What business activities can re-open while ensuring the DPHSS “Minimum Pandemic Workplace Operational Requirements” are adopted during PCOR 2?

• All business operations already authorized under PCOR 1;

• All other retail stores, as authorized for retail services in their Business License issued by the Department of Revenue and Taxation which may include the sale of items not deemed an essential item (as defined in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-05) and include Non-essential Retail Stores (as defined in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-05);

• Professional and other services not already allowed to operate during PCOR 1 (i.e. financial planning, advertising/marketing services, information technology consulting, and photography services);

• Real estate sales; automotive sales, detailing, and cleaning;

• Cosmetic establishments that provide beauty, barber, and nail salon services;

• Flower shops;

• Shopping centers and mall operations, including take out orders from food courts (no dining in); and

• Elective medical and dental procedures, treatments, and therapies.

All other business activities not listed in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-07 may be considered during PCOR 2 or PCOR 3 based upon continued monitoring of medical data and public health preparedness. Businesses allowed to operate will no longer be restricted to selling only essential items. However, any activity must be strictly limited to the parameters of the valid business license to operate.

5. What government services will open in PCOR 2?

• Permitting and regulatory services at Department of Public Works (DPW), Department of Land Management (DLM), Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), Guam Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA), Department of Agriculture (DOAg), and Department of Labor (DOL); 

• DOL unemployment assistance; 

• Department of Administration (DOA) operations; 

• Department of Revenue and Taxation tax and business license branches; 

• Police clearances; and 

• Public Health licenses and certificates

6. What guidelines must businesses that are authorized to re-open under DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-07, follow under PCOR 2?

Businesses allowed to operate under PCOR 2 must follow guidelines outlined in Executive Order 2020-15 and Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) Guidance Memo 2020-07 which include the Minimum Pandemic Workplace Operational Guidelines. 

All allowed activities shall be conducted utilizing mitigation measures including, but not limited to: mandate the wearing of face masks; develop and communicate social distancing policies; limit in-person interactions and physical contact; train employees on social distancing policies and protocols; implement regular screening protocols for employees, customers/clients, or other workplace visitors; and assess sanitary workplace conditions and policies. 

7. What does a business need to have in place to open?

Businesses must work with its industry representatives and/or Chambers of Commerce to collectively submit an industry-specific plan to ensure social distancing and adhere to the Minimum Pandemic Workplace Operational Guidelines. Such industry-specific plans should be submitted to the DPHSS at PCOR2Plans@dphss.guam.gov. The Guam Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, through the Governor’s Recovery Panel of Advisors will be submitting industry-specific guidelines to the DPHSS prior to the official declaration of PCOR 2.

8. What if my business isn’t included in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-07? What can I do to change this?

If your business isn’t included in the DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-07, this does not prevent nor preclude the decision to re-open additional businesses during PCOR 2. Businesses should continue to work with the Chambers of Commerce or other industry representatives to ensure a plan is being crafted in the event such additional business activities are authorized.

9. Does DPHSS need to approve industry-specific guidelines?

The DPHSS will not be approving industry-specific guidelines, rather, all businesses should adhere to the Minimum Pandemic Workplace Operational Guidelines released by the DPHSS as well as the industry-specific guidelines submitted by the Chambers of Commerce or other industry representatives. For any inquiries on industry-specific guidelines, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 472-6311/8001. 

DPHSS and the Department of Revenue and Taxation will continue to accept calls from individuals or businesses that wish to report businesses that may not be adhering to the minimum requirements and reduced occupancy rates. To report violations, please call 311. 

10. What occupancy rate can businesses operate under?

Businesses may operate at 50% of their occupancy rate. 

11. Are social gatherings permitted?

Social gatherings are permitted in groups no larger than 10. 

12. Are public parks and beaches open?

All government of Guam parks and beaches continue to be closed to all activities except for individual use for purposes of exercise, both physical and mental, subject to social distancing mandates.


20.0508 GOV to SPEAKER re Executive Order No. 2020-14 - Relative to Declaring Pandemic Condition of Readiness (PCOR)