JIC RELEASE NO. 671 - DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-15

Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-15, relative to restrictions and allowable activities and operations during Pandemic Condition of Readiness 3 (PCOR 3) in accordance with Executive Order No. 2021-10. 

DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-15 supersedes all previous DPHSS guidance documents that are in effect, in whole or in part, including DPHSS Guidance Memoranda 2021-13, 2021-10, 2021-10 (Addendum No. 1), and 2021-08, which contradict or conflict with, Executive Order 2021-10 DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-15. Restrictions and requirements under PCOR 3 as mandated in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-15 include, but are not limited to the following:

EFFECTIVE 8:00 A.M. MAY 15, 2021:

• FOR FUNERAL CEREMONIES, both religious and non-religious, that are held indoors must not exceed 75% of the occupancy load, and for associated activities (i.e., burial) held outdoors, it must not exceed 100 individuals and all must wear face masks and maintain 6 feet distancing; and

• SERVICES involving the administration of sacraments or celebration of high holy days are permitted, but must be limited to 75% occupancy load, including the clergy, minister, or other religious leader and his/her assistant, if necessary. Religious activities and Places of Worship are authorized provided that participants adhere to DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2020-040 REV 1 (Minimum Requirements for Places of Worship), unless otherwise provided herein; Must submit facility mitigation plan to DPHSS

• SWIMMING POOLS, PRIVATE AND PUBLIC, at 75% of the pool's occupancy load is authorized, and the operator:

  • Adheres to DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2020-17 (Minimum Requirements for Operations of Swimming Pools and Waterparks); and 

  • Prohibits the congregation of more than one hundred (100) individuals per group at poolside and each maintains 6 feet of distance from one another if not from Immediate Family Unit or Single Household Unit.

• Organized Sports, Non-Contact and Contact Training and Competition, provided:

• Spectators shall be limited to four (4) per athlete (referenced as a spectator pod). Each spectator pod must be seated at least six (6) feet from the next spectator pod. Spectators shall be required to wear face masks at all times.

• Wearing faces masks is required of all athletes at all times when not actively participating in athletic activity, and non-participants such as instructors, employees, and parents

• Athletes must maintain 6 feet separation from others when not in the field of play or when engaged in play/activity, whenever possible;

• Coaches, officials, and individuals who are not from the same household must maintain at least 6 feet social distancing from other individuals;

• All attendees are encouraged to avoid high fives, handshakes, fist bumps, or hugs;

• When handwashing stations are not available, there must be a sufficient supply of hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol available for use;

• Clean and disinfect highly touched surfaces, equipment, gear, and shared objects and equipment between each use and conduct detailed cleaning and disinfection of the entire athletic facility, including chairs, furniture in meeting rooms, locker rooms, bathrooms, and athletic training room tables, daily when in use using disinfectant cleaning supplies; and

• Congregating in the parking lot or near the field, gym, or sports complex/facility before and after games is prohibited

The following; provided, it is limited to no more than one hundred (100) persons per party and the allowable occupancy load is not exceeded, if applicable:

• Aquariums, museums, and zoos;

• Government of Guam parks and beaches;

• Recreational boating and boat charters where 6 feet distancing can be maintained by everyone on board;

• Running, walking, biking, and other recreation and non-contact exercise on public roadways, beaches, and parks;

• Tourist attraction sites and venues; and

• Waterparks and other recreational water venues

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

• Social distancing of not less than 6 feet is maintained;

• Face mask is worn whenever possible;

• Group activities cannot exceed one hundred (100) individuals; and

• Paddling sports (kayaking, stand up paddling) are limited to no more than six (6) persons.

Bars and taverns, public transportation, including school buses; and others as determined by DPHSS are authorized to operate at 50% occupancy load. Businesses and services not authorized for on-site operations include reservations to celebrate public and private functions (i.e., anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, graduations) at Eating and Drinking Establishments and other public venues where the total number of guests exceed one hundred (100) individuals, senior citizen centers and other businesses and services not identified in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-15.

For more information, contact the Division of Environmental Health at 300-9579 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or email, dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov. Written mitigation plans and requests for authorization are to be submitted to PCOR3plans@dphss.guam.gov. 

Additional requirements and restrictions may apply and are further detailed in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-15. To view the complete guidance in its entirety, click HERE. 

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 2021-15 AUTH BUSINESS AND SVCS DURING PCOR 3 RELATIVE TO E.O. 2021-10 05.14.2021