JIC RELEASE NO. 492 - DPHSS Anticipates Arrival of First Vaccine Order by End of Week;DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo No. 2020-45

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

DPHSS Anticipates Arrival of First Vaccine Order by End of Week
Now that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) is preparing for the vaccines’ arrival within three to five days of its shipment. 

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) then votes on recommendations for use of the vaccine, which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must approve before Guam begins administering the first doses of the vaccines. The ACIP, on December 12, voted 11-0 voted in favor of the interim recommendations for use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. 

DPHSS placed its first order of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines on December 4 for 3,900 doses. It has been given authorization to place its next order in the next 24 to 48 hours for a minimum of  3,900 doses. This number is subject to change. 

Additionally, DPHSS has placed its first order of Moderna vaccines, or vaccine B, on Saturday, December 12, for a total of 3,800 doses. The Moderna vaccine must still undergo the same review and approval process as the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine before distribution begins to states and territories. 

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo No. 2020-45
DPHSS issued Guidance Memo 2020-45, to advise the public of restrictions and allowances for business and government operations in accordance with Executive Order No. 2020-43 during the current Pandemic Conditions of Readiness 1 (PCOR 1).

• SOCIAL GATHERINGS & ACTIVITIES INCREASED FROM FIVE (5) INDIVIDUALS TO TEN (10) INDIVIDUALS: Effective at 8:00 AM, December 15, 2020, congregation is permitted, but not to exceed ten (10) individuals who all must wear face masks, and if not from the same household, maintain social distancing of 6 feet; including:
  • RUNNING, WALKING, BIKING, AND OTHER RECREATION AND NON-CONTACT EXERCISE is authorized on public roadways, beaches, and parks, provided there are no more than 10 individuals per group.
  • RECREATIONAL BOATING by single household unit, and boat charters, where 6 feet distancing can be maintained by everyone on board, is authorized. Boat charters may not permit congregations that exceed 10 persons.
• GOVERNMENT OF GUAM PARKS AND BEACHES: Effective 8:00 AM, December 15, 2020, Government of Guam parks and beaches shall be open to the public and congregations shall be limited to no more than 10 persons. 
• PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED BUSINESSES: Previously authorized and services operating at 50% of the occupancy load prior to this guidance memorandum may continue to do so.
• ORGANIZED SPORTS NON-CONTACT RECREATIONAL GROUP ACTIVITIES: Effective 8:00 AM, December 15, 2020, outdoor, non-contact, recreational activities, such as golf, tennis, shooting, scuba diving is authorized; provided that Group activities cannot exceed ten (10) individuals
• RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES AND PLACES OF WORSHIP: Effective, 8:00 AM, December 15, 2020, religious activities and Places of Worship is authorized for:
  • FUNERAL CEREMONIES, BOTH RELIGIOUS AND NON-RELIGIOUS, that are held indoors must not exceed 50% of the occupancy load, and 
  • ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES HELD OUTDOORS (i.e., burial), it must not exceed 25 individuals and all must wear face masks and maintain 6 feet distancing; and
  • OTHER SERVICES involving the administration of sacraments or celebration of high holy days are permitted, but must be limited to 50% occupancy load, including the clergy or minister or other religious leader and his/her assistant, if necessary. 
• SWIMMING POOLS (PRIVATE AND PUBLIC): Effective 8:00 AM, December 15, 2020, swimming pools (private and public) are authorized to operate subject to applicable DPHSS guidance. To the extent individuals congregate at swimming pools, such congregations shall be limited to no more than ten (10) persons.

The following businesses and services remain prohibited for on-site operations:

1. Government of Guam agencies with customer service functions that are not deemed critical to the health and safety of the community; however, employees of such agencies are to continue working from home unless designated by the respective agencies as providing critical services;
2. Indoor dining services at Eating and Drinking Establishments;
3. Reservations to celebrate private functions (i.e., anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, graduations) at Eating and Drinking Establishments where the total number of guests exceed ten (10) individuals;
4. Boat charters for congregations that exceed ten (10) individuals;
5. Educational institutions, including public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities and those staff not engaged in distance learning or not performing critical functions;
6. Theaters and museums;
7. Tourist attraction sites and venues;
8. Bars and taverns;
9. Movie theaters;
10. Contact sporting events of all types and non-contact sports competition or organized games;
11. Amusement parks, bingo halls, game rooms, and similar businesses and activities;
12. Senior Centers; and
13. Other businesses and services identified by the DPHSS.

The use of unnecessary and/or common-use areas of offices and businesses, such as lounges and break-rooms, remains prohibited.

Written mitigation plans and requests for authorization are to be submitted to publichealth@dphss.guam.gov.  For further questions, please contact the Division of Environmental Health at 300-9579 from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, or email, dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov.

Click here to view DPHSS GUIDANCE MEMO 2020-045 FINAL 12.14.20