JIC RELEASE NO. 359 - DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2020-39

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DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2020-39
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued Guidance Memo 2020-39 to advise the public of restrictions and allowances for business and government operations in accordance with Executive Order No. 2020-34 during the current Pandemic Conditions of Readiness (PCOR) 1, which was declared by Executive Order No. 2020-27.

This Guidance Memo includes the following updates from previous guidance memos:

• Authorized Businesses and Services

  • Critical Government of Guam agencies, provided such agencies and departments are able to adequately protect their employees and the public through the implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-28.

  • All other Government of Guam agencies may operate at 25% capacity.  Business-related customer services may operate on a limited basis.  All other customer service functions may occur by appointment.

  • Outdoor Dining at Eating and Drinking Establishments 

    • The dining area may be covered to protect from the elements but shall not be enclosed by more than two walls;

    • Adherence to the Guam Food Code;

    • Prohibition of indoor dining;

    • Each party must be comprised of individuals from the same household and not to exceed six (6) people;

    • Customers must wear face masks when speaking with the employees;

    • All tables between different parties must be at least 6 feet apart or have a physical barrier between the parties which is of sufficient height and width;

    • Customers are permitted to enter the establishment to use the restrooms; 

    • A written record is maintained as outlined in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-39.

  • Other Retail Stores may operate at no greater than 25% capacity and further subject to the following conditions:  mandating the wearing of masks and social distancing of at least six (6) feet, providing for easy access to either a hand washing station or hand sanitizer, encouraging all employees and patrons to download the Guam COVID Alert App. 

  • Running, walking, biking, and other individual recreation and exercise is permitted on public roadways, beaches, and parks.

  • Recreational boating by single household unit.

  • Outdoor, non-contact, recreational activities, such as golf, tennis, shooting, scuba diving; provided, the following are implemented:

    • Social distancing of not less than 6 ft. is maintained;

    • Face mask is worn whenever possible

    • Group activities cannot exceed 4 individuals; and

    • Each golfer shall ride in a separate cart.

• The following businesses and services are by appointment only, and must not exceed 25% of the occupancy load:

  • Animal grooming and training establishments;

  • Cosmetology Establishments; must adhere to the following restrictions: 

    • Prohibits walk-ins;

    • Prohibits waiting rooms (customers must wait in their vehicles);

    • Separate rooms are utilized or workstations must be 6 ft apart;

    • The employee servicing the customer wears a face mask and a face shield;

    • Cosmetology Establishments comply with DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2020-26;

    • Therapeutic massage establishments comply with DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2020-22; and

    • A written record is maintained as outlined in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-39

  • Dive shops;

  • Auto wash, detailing, and tinting businesses;

  • Photography services;

  • Financial planning;

  • Advertising and marketing;

  • In-office Consulting;

  • Shopping Centers or Malls with the following requirements:

    • Food courts or Eating and Drinking Establishments are authorized Outdoor Dining and/or take out only—indoor dining is prohibited 

    • All common areas that promote congregation are closed; and

    • All Authorized Businesses and Services within shopping centers or malls must comply with specific DPHSS guidance memos related to the associated Authorized Businesses and Services.

  • Previously authorized businesses and services operating at 50% of the occupancy load prior to this guidance memorandum may continue to do so.

• All businesses that require servicing via appointment, as noted in this document, and are required to maintain a written record must keep a log that provides the following information, which must be readily available to DPHSS, when requested:

  • Date and time of the visit;

  • Name of the individual(s);

  •  Assigned staff or server and/or table or workstation; and

  •  Phone and/or email.

  • The business must verify the name of the individual and maintain this record for a period of 30 days from the date of service.

• All businesses shall follow applicable requirements of DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-29, which does not contradict or conflict with Executive Orders 2020-27 through 2020-33 and this memorandum, for social distancing; cleaning, sanitization, and/or disinfection of surfaces; posting of signs; face masks; and employee health and hygiene.

• Businesses and Services Not Authorized for On-Site Operations.

  • Government of Guam agencies with customer service functions that are not deemed critical to the health and safety of the community; 

  • Indoor dining services at Eating and Drinking Establishments;

  • Educational institutions, including public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities;

  • Child care facilities;

  • Theaters and museums;

  • Tourist attraction sites and venues

  • Bars and taverns;

  • Gymnasiums and fitness centers;

  • Movie theaters;

  • Sporting events of all types;

  • Public swimming pools;

  • Indoor firing range;

  • All places of worship, except for parking lot services;

  • Swimming pools, playgrounds, and other shared facilities and rooms in condominiums and apartments; and

  • All government of Guam public parks and beaches, except for individual use for the purpose of exercise, subject to social distancing mandates.

DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2020-39, and other relevant DPHSS Guidance Memorandums listed above can be viewed in their entirety at dphss.guam.gov/covid-19.

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.