JIC RELEASE NO. 65 - Initiative to Reach Businesses Impacted by COVID-19; DoAg Updates - GHS OCD

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) tested 34 individuals for COVID-19 on Thursday, April 9, 2020 with conclusive results. Three tested positive through DPHSS and 31 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. Additional results will be provided later this evening once today’s test results are finalized.

Unified Outreach Efforts for Business Community
In a unified effort, the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB), the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association (GHRA) and the Guam Chamber of Commerce will be reaching out to their collective membership to assist businesses impacted by COVID-19. Called the Membership Outreach Movement (MOM), hybrid teams from the three membership based organizations will contact an estimated 800 businesses to help with organizing information for economic relief options available.

The information collected will assist the Guam Department of Labor with preparing employers and employees to access federal assistance programs. Businesses are advised to anticipate direct communication from representatives from GHRA, GVB and the Chamber beginning Monday, April 13, 2020.

2020 Deer Hunting Season Extended
The Department of Agriculture’s (DoAg) Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources has extended the deer hunting season from April 1 to September 30, 2020 at no additional cost to hunters. Hunting is permitted on Government of Guam properties as well as private property, with the landowner’s permission. A current FY2020 hunting license is required. Only those licensed will be authorized to hunt. To limit public interactions, no new licenses will be sold.

Hunters will not be required to use deer tags. The regulation will be suspended for this season in order to ease the financial obligation of paying for tags. All social distancing measures must be followed. Hunting groups should be limited in size to a maximum of three people, from within the same household or family unit, in compliance with Executive Order 2020-09. During hunting outings, wear personal protective equipment to keep yourself safe. Keep a distance of six feet or more between yourself and anyone else. For more information, email DAWR Wildlife at wildlife@doag.guam.gov.

Special Fishing Permit Available
DoAg, in accordance with Section 63123 of Title 5, Guam Code Annotated (GCA) is issuing a special permit to allow the harvest of juvenile rabbit fish (Manahak), juvenile fusiliers (Achemson), juvenile goatfish (Ti’ao), juvenile jacks (I’e), and scad mackerel (Atulai), within the Åchang Bay Preserve and Piti Bomb Holes Marine Preserve, for food security during this public health emergency declaration as well as for cultural educational purposes to ensure this traditional fishing practice continues for future generations.

The harvest of these species is dependent on conditions specified below:

ALL SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES MUST BE FOLLOWED. The purpose of focusing on the use of talåya and hook-and-line is to protect our community by limiting fishing to a single-person activity. Please keep a distance of six feet or more between yourself and anyone else.
Only the use of talåya nets (cast nets) or hook-and-line for the harvest of Manahak, Achemson, Ti’ao, and I’e is allowed from shore for a period from April 04 - April 30, 2020.
I’e and tiao harvested shall not be longer than 4-inches long.
Manahak shall not be longer than 3-inches long.
While fishing for Manahak, Achemson, Ti’ao, and I’e under this permit, entry into the water is only allowed to retrieve the talåya after casting the net.
The harvest of any marine species other than Manahak, Achemson, Ti’ao, I’e, and Atulai, in the preserve is PROHIBITED. Immediate removal and release of non-target species from the net is required.
The use of talåya (cast nets) or hook-and-line for Manahak, Achemson, Ti’ao, and I’e is limited to the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Hook and line from boat for Atulai has no time limit.
Net dimension of talåya nets (cast nets): small enough to prevent gilling of fish. The use of gill nets and other nets are PROHIBITED.
The Piti and Merizo Mayors’ Offices will educate the public about these traditional fishing practices.
The use of motorized watercraft to transport gear is PROHIBITED for harvest Achemson, and Manahak using talåya.
The Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Officers will fully enforce all laws and regulations in the preserve.
Fishermen may view the permit at the Piti and Merizo Mayors’ Offices or at the Department of Agriculture, Division of Aquatics and Wildlife Resources (DAWR).

For more information please contact: Department of Agriculture Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR) fisheries@doag.guam.gov

For inquiries on COVID-19, contact 311 through a local number, or call the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.

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. 65 - Initiative to Reach Businesses Impacted by COVID-19; DoAg Updates