JIC RELEASE NO. 254: DPHSS Issues Guidance Memos 2020-30, 2020-31

COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day. The Joint Information Center will report cumulative COVID-19 test results once a day, unless unavailable.

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

DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-30
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued Guidance Memo 2020-30, relative to the requirements of funeral homes and mortuaries that service wakes, visitations, viewings, and/or other funeral services (collectively called, “Ceremony”) to minimize the potential for transmission of COVID-19. These requirements are intended for events held in various settings, including funeral homes, cemetery facilities, and other venues. This guidance document is in addition to applicable requirements set forth in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-29.

General Restrictions and Requirements

Ceremonies are limited to no more than ten attendees indoors at any given time; however, this does not include employees of the funeral home. In addition, attendees who do not live in the same household should maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet.
Prior to the start and the conclusion of the Ceremony, thoroughly clean and disinfect the facility using disinfectant cleaning supplies according to CDC guidelines.
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html
Post readily visible signage at the entrance and throughout the facility to remind staff and attendees of policies on wearing of face mask, social distancing, respiratory/hand hygiene, and prohibiting entry of those with COVID-19 symptoms.
Provide hand-washing stations or hand sanitizers for attendees to use upon entering the facility.
Must provide adequate hand-washing supplies.
Provide and place disposable facial tissues within reach and closed bins for discarding of used tissues.
Practice extra precautions with high-touch areas, such as a register book, that could be potential sources for contamination.
Place hand sanitizer next to the register book with a sign to use before signing.
Require staff and attendees to wear face masks at all times.
- Funeral homes may adopt U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention guidelines for face coverings for certain populations and situations, including those with certain medical conditions, such as asthma and COPD.
- https://www.cdc.gov/cornovirus/2019-cov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html#not-wear
Conduct screenings of attendees before they enter the facility.
- This may include temperature checks, and/or questionnaires for COVID-19 symptoms.
  - Attendees with symptoms are not to be permitted into the facility.
If possible, provide separate entrance and exit.
Discourage the sharing of commonly used objects, such as religious aids and microphones.
The following activities are prohibited:
Ceremonies at private residences;
Serving of food and beverages at Ceremonies;
Kissing or embracing the deceased or coffin;
Post-Ceremony gatherings on facility premises; and
Congregational singing.
Discourage holding or shaking hands, hugging, or kissing.

Employee Health and Hygiene

Screen all staff of funeral homes reporting to work for COVID-19 symptoms; staff with symptoms are prohibited from working.
Provide and maintain personal protective equipment for employees to perform enhanced cleaning/disinfection.

DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-31
DPHSS issued Guidance Memo 2020-31 relative to the prohibition of the Operation of Bars and Taverns. Due to the recent increase of COVID-19 cases among young adults, a number of which have been traced to activities at local (alcohol) drinking establishments, bars and taverns will be prohibited from operating, effective 6 p.m., August 8, 2020 until 6 p.m., August 22, 2020.

Dine-in operations with bar seating may still continue to operate provided all requirements listed in DPHSS Memo 2020-12 Revision 3 are met and steps are taken to ensure the protection of employees and customers through the use of barriers and/or social distancing and the proper and regular cleaning and disinfecting of the area.

This document temporarily supersedes DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2020-23 and Section (A)(1) of DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-29.

For further questions, please contact the Division of Environmental Health at 300-9579; 8 a.m. to 5 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 2020-30 Minimum Requirements for Wake and Funeral Services (08-08-2020)

Click Here to View DPHSS GUIDANCE MEMO 2020-31 Prohibition of the Operation of Bars and Taverns (08-08-20)

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.