JIC RELEASE NO. 537 - DPHSS Issues Guidance Memos 2021-02 and 2021-03 - GHS OCD

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-02
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued Guidance Memo 2021-02, relative to minimum requirements for in-class operations of K-12 schools and institutions of higher education in accordance with Section 5 of Executive Order No. 2020-46, relative to authorizing in-person instruction at all institutions of learning.

The purpose of this document is to establish a process by which K-12 Schools (Schools) and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) are required and/or recommended to operate upon such time Schools and IHEs are authorized for in-person classes. The authorization for in-class operations of Schools and IHEs is contingent upon I Maga'hågan Guahan Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero’s promulgation of an Executive Order authorizing such activity. Guidance Memo 2021-02 provides information on:

General requirements and restrictions
Hygiene and daily practices at schools and IHEs
Cleaning, disinfection and ventilation’
Social distancing and other protective measures
Sick student and employees
High risk activities

In-Class Operations Plan

A written In-class Operations Plan must be formulated by each individual School and IHE. Each School and IHE’s written In-Class Operations Plan must include and address:

Minimum requirements outlined in this DPHSS Guidance Memorandum;
Measures to protect high-risk students and employees (older persons, persons with underlying medical conditions);
Procedures for sick students and employees, particularly those with COVID-19 symptoms; Procedures for monitoring and enforcing these measures internally, including identification of individuals responsible for such monitoring and enforcement; and
The role of a full-time or part-time school nurse.

Each School and IHE must have a full-time or part-time school nurse to lead and coordinate implementation of the School or IHE’s COVID-19 prevention and control measures. This individual, at a minimum, must:

Be designated as the institution’s point-of-contact to respond to DPHSS inquiries and complaints/concerns from students, parents, and employees; and
Evaluate, and revise as necessary, the institution’s implementation of its COVID-19 policies and procedures.

Positive results must be reported to DPHSS Medical Operations by calling 311 Option 1. Each School and IHE must implement an absenteeism process tracking the daily attendance of students and employees absent from school.

Please refer to the attached listing of useful resources:

Attachment A: Guam K-12 Public and Private School, and IHE Reopening Plan Template
Attachment B: High Touch Surface Sanitization/Disinfection Guidance
Attachment C: List of Other Resources

All In-Class Operating Plans for Schools and IHEs must be emailed to PCOR2Plans@dphss.guam.gov. If plans have previously been submitted, such plans must be resubmitted in accordance with the minimum requirements set forth in this DPHSS Guidance Memorandum.

DPHSS’ initial approval of all submitted plans will be conditional until receipt of plans and compliance inspection by the Division of Environmental Health (DEH).

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-03

DPHSS issued Guidance Memo 2021-03 to advise the public of restrictions and allowances for business and government operations in accordance with Executive Order No. 2021-01, relative to declaring Pandemic Condition of Readiness 2 (PCOR 2):

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 19, 2021, all Government of Guam offices, agencies, and departments shall recommence any public operations still suspended at 50%, including making accommodations for walk-in services with emphasis on customer facing services provided such offices, agencies, and departments are able to adequately protect their employees and the public through the implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures provided by DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2020-28 (Minimum Requirements for Government of Guam).
EFFECTIVE 6:00 AM, JANUARY 18, 2021, in-person instruction for all 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 is authorized; provided the following are implemented:
- Adheres to DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-02; (Minimum Requirements for In-Class Operations of K-12 Schools and Institutions of Higher Education) and any additional requirements as DPHSS deems necessary.
- Distance learning by schools and its supporting activities is authorized, which include curb-side pick-up, delivery of materials and documents, and teachers utilizing their classrooms to conduct virtual classes.
- In-person instruction guidelines and protocols approved for the reopening of schools.
EFFECTIVE 8:00 AM, JANUARY 16, 2021, amusement parks, bingo halls, game rooms, and similar businesses and activities at 50% of the room’s occupancy load is authorized.

Businesses and Services Not Authorized for On-Site Operations:

Reservations to celebrate private functions (i.e., anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, graduations) at Eating and Drinking Establishments and other public venues where the total number of guests exceed fifteen (15) individuals;
Boat charters for congregations that exceed fifteen (15) individuals;
Bars and taverns;
Contact sporting events of all types and non-contact sports competition or organized games;
Senior Centers; and
Other businesses and services identified by the DPHSS.

Written mitigation plans and requests for authorization are to be submitted to PCOR2plans@dphss.guam.gov. For further questions, please contact the Division of Environmental Health at 300-9579 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, or email dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov.

Both Guidance Memos are attached and may also be viewed in their entirety online at dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-jic-releases-executive-orders/.

GBHWC Crisis Hotline
The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC) has a Crisis Hotline that is available 24/7 at (671) 647-8833/4. For those feeling anxious, stressed, overwhelmed or are needing to talk to someone, GBHWC has experienced providers available and ready to assist the community with any heightened stress and anxiety experienced as a result of 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.

Click here to view DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-03 01.15.21 Final

Click here to view DPHSS MIN REQ 4 SCHOOLS In-Class and IHEs_01.15.21_FINAL

Click here to view 2021-02 Attachments A-C

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. 537 - DPHSS Issues Guidance Memos 2021-02 and 2021-03