JIC RELEASE NO. 132 - Guam Small Business Pandemic Assistance Grant; GUNG Carries Out COVID-19 Quarantine Operations; DPHSS Division of Environmental Health, Vital Statistics Update

COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day. Cumulative test results will be provided this evening once all tests from today are finalized.

To date, there have been 154 cases confirmed through COVID-19 testing provided with 5 deaths and 126 released from isolation. As this is an evolving situation, information is subject to change with little to no notice.

Guam Small Business Pandemic Assistance Grant
Today, the Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) launched the Guam Small Business Pandemic Assistance Grant to aid small businesses affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Office of the Governor directed GEDA to administer the grant program utilizing $20 million set aside under the CARES Act and checks will be cut by the Department of Administration to grantees.  

Grants vary in size but are based on a percentage of gross receipts and awards will likely range from $1,000 to $30,000. Businesses must have suffered at least a 25% reduction in average monthly receipts during the state of the public health emergency. To benefit smaller businesses in the community, there will be a first round of funding set aside for businesses with gross receipts of $500,000 or below who are also not yet recipients under other federal programs. The second round of funding will benefit businesses with $1.5 million or below in gross receipts regardless of federal award status under other programs. 

For a list of eligibility requirements visit the Guam Small Business Pandemic Assistance Grant Overview available on the GEDA website www.investguam.com/smallbusiness. Applications are being accepted via email until the $20 million in funding set aside under the CARES Act is exhausted or until December 30, 2020, whichever comes first.

For more information, please contact the Guam Economic Development Authority Grant Help Desk at 671-647-4338 or email smallbusiness@investguam.com. 

GUNG Carries Out COVID-19 Quarantine Operations
Under the direction of Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, more than 40 Guam National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have been assigned to oversee operations of the island’s COVID-19 quarantine facilities under Task Force Shield. 

Task Force Shield will be responsible for receiving passengers after they are screened at the airport by Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) personnel; coordinating logistics regarding passenger reception, lodging assignments and accommodations, including quality-of-life needs; and luggage transport to sites.

Office of Vital Statistics Requires Appointments for Birth, Marriage Certificates
To adhere to Governor Leon Guerrero’s order for mandatory social distancing of at least six feet in the workplace, the Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) of the DPHSS is requiring clients to make an appointment to obtain copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates, and marriage licenses. Clients can still walk-in to the office to obtain a death certificate.

The OVS is requesting that all birthing facilities provide a phone number of one or both parents when registering new birth certificates so that OVS staff can notify them when the birth certificates are ready and to make an appointment so that they can pick them up. This will reduce the number of clients visiting the office and limit the number of people waiting in line for services at any one time. 

OVS is located on the first floor, west side of the Ran-Care Building on 761 South Marine Corps Drive across from National Office Supply in Tamuning. Face coverings are required before entering. If you have any questions, please contact Maria Quinata at 727-5246 or 638-4508/9 or via email at maria.quinata@dphss.guam.gov.

Re-Opening of the Division of Environmental Health’s Processing Center Section
The DPHSS Division of Environmental Health’s Processing Center Section (PCS), which issues Health Certificates, will begin limited operation starting Thursday, May 21, 2020.  PCS will be operating at its temporary site at the Guam Environmental Public Health Laboratory (mosquito lab) in Dededo. The hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

To manage the approximately 7,000 individuals who are waiting to submit their applications for new or renewed Health Certificates and/or to attend the Food Safety Course, PCS will operate in phases. During Phase 1, the focus will be on (a) individuals seeking a new Health Certificate for employment at regulated establishments approved to operate during Pandemic Condition of Readiness 2, which are food facilities, dry-cleaners and Laundromat, and certain cosmetic establishments, and (b) individuals who possess an Interim Health Certificate and waiting to pass the food safety course. The acceptance of applications from interested individuals, during Phase 1, will only be done during scheduled dates, which will be based on the last name of the applicant.

In Phase 2, PCS will expand its operation by accepting applications for individuals seeking to renew their Health Certificates in food facilities, dry-cleaners and laundromat, and certain cosmetic establishments. These expired or expiring Health Certificates will remain valid during Phase 1. During Phase 3, Health Certificate applications for all other categories will be accepted. The public will be notified in advance when PCS transitions from one phase to the next.  

PHASE 1

A. Individuals seeking a Health Certificate for employment at food facilities, dry-cleaners, Laundromats, and cosmetic establishments will be processed in groups as determined by their last names in alphabetical order.

Applications from individuals who are seeking to apply for a Health Certificate on days that they are not scheduled, or for categories not currently approved (tattoo shops, institutional facilities, and massage establishments), will not be accepted.

Furthermore, individuals currently employed at food facilities without a Health Certificate, as it was authorized by the Department on April 8, 2020, will need to apply for a Health Certificate during their respective scheduled date as the waiver has now been canceled. Health Certificate application and instructions are available online at http://dphss.guam.gov/division-of-environmental-health/. Applicants are encouraged to download and complete the application before arriving to PCS.

The fee is still $25 ($10 for the Health Certificate and $15 for the test) and applicants are encouraged to bring the exact amount if payment is by cash. Currently only cash and check are accepted, credit card payment is not possible at this time. 

B. “Interim Food Safety Health Certificate Training Courses,” which were scheduled from March 16, 2020 thru April 17, 2020 but later cancelled, have been rescheduled; however only the test will be administered. Study manual, which was previously issued, and the course presentation are available online from DPHSS website: http://dphss.guam.gov/deh-studymanual/. Below is the rescheduled date for testing.                                      

C. For renewing applicants who were scheduled to attend the “Refresher Food Safety Health Certificate Training Course” during the period of March 16, 2020 to April 24, 2020, their certificates will continue to be valid until further notice.

D. Permanent Health Certificates of all other categories that had expired since February 16, 2020, or will be expiring soon, will continue to be valid until further notice.

Only scheduled applicants will be allowed to enter the facility and they must bring their own pencil. Family, friends, or children accompanying the applicant will not be allowed to enter.  Applicants who are feeling ill or experiencing any COVID-19 like symptoms are not to enter the premises. Wearing of face masks will be mandatory and social distancing will be implemented. Applicants needing special accommodations must call 300-9579 at least 2 days prior to their scheduled date. Applicants are also encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather as the waiting area will be in the parking lot of Guam Environmental Public Health Laboratory under canopies. Should you have any questions, please contact DEH at 300-9579 or email us at dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov.

For updated information on COVID-19 cases on Guam, visit the COVID-19 Dashboard at http://dphss.guam.gov/covid-19/. 

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

GSBPA Grant Program Overview 05192020