JIC RELEASE NO. 226 - DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2020-27 - GHS OCD

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued Guidance Memo 2020-27 relative to the minimum requirements for reopening K-12 schools (Schools) and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs). The purpose of this guidance is to establish a process by which Schools and IHEs are authorized to operate during Pandemic Condition of Readiness (PCOR) 3. This authorization is contingent upon the promulgation of an executive order authorizing such activity during PCOR 3. No Schools or IHEs may reopen until PCOR 3 is declared by the Governor, unless previously authorized by DPHSS.

Submission of a reopening plan is required prior to reopening and such plan must adhere to the minimum requirements outlined in this document. The reopening plan must be formulated by each individual school or IHE. If there is an association or organization representing multiple schools (e.g. Guam Department of Education or the Office of Catholic Education at the Archdiocese of Agana), the association or organization is highly encouraged to submit a collective plan for the schools it represents.

DPHSS’ approval of the reopening plan is not necessary for the School or IHE to proceed with its reopening, provided the minimum requirements outlined in DPHSS Memo 2020-27 have been met.

The reopening plan of Schools and IHEs must be emailed to PCOR2Plans@dphss.guam.gov. For additional questions, please contact the Division of Environmental Health at 300-9579 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For the latest information on COVID-19, visit dphss.guam.gov or guamrecovery.com. 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 DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-27 Minimum Requirements for Re-opening K-12 Schools and Institutions of Higher Education (07-15-20)

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. 226 - DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2020-27