JIC RELEASE NO. 130 - COVID-19 Heroes Annual Leave Measure; Economic Impact Payment Updates - GHS OCD

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 154 cases confirmed through COVID-19 testing provided with 5 deaths and 126 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/.

COVID-19 Heroes Annual Leave Measure
Today, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero announced her support of Bill 359-35, a legislative measure that will compensate classified workers called to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bill 359-35 was a joint effort in collaboration with the Guam Federation of Teachers, Speaker Tina Muna-Barnes, Senator Pedo Terlaje, Senator Clynt Ridgell, Senator Wil Castro, and Senator Mary Torres.

Under Bill 359-35, any classified employee that worked during the emergency period of March 20th to May 10th, 2020 will be entitled to one hour of additional annual leave—for every hour worked—not to exceed 240 hours of annual leave, provided that the classified employee:

was required to physically report to work during the emergency period; and
did not receive any additional compensation, administrative leave, or compensatory time off aside from what was provided in Executive Order 2020-08 or any applicable hazardous, night, or overtime differential pay.

In addition, up to 120 hours of the COVID-19 Heroes Annual Leave may be paid in lump sum compensation at the request of the employee before October 1, 2020.

Economic Impact Payment (EIP) Updates
The Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation (DRT) has processed and released over 50,000 Economic Impact Payments (EIP) totaling $95.9 million in the last week. DRT is expected to process additional payments this week.

DRT’s FAQ on the Guam EIP Program is available at www.guamtax.com. DRT’s call center numbers are 635-1840/41/42/57 and 635-7603/04/06. DRT recommends e-mailing any questions regarding the Guam EIP Program to guameip@revtax.guam.gov.

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

Click Here to View Bill No. 359-35

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

JIC RELEASE NO. 130 - COVID-19 Heroes Annual Leave Measure; Economic Impact Payment Updates