JIC RELEASE NO. 230 - Governor Signs Executive Order 2020-24; Continue to Practice Caution;Expanded COVID-19 Testing Continues - GHS OCD

Governor Signs Executive Order 2020-24

On July 19, 2020, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order (EO) 2020-24. Under EO 2020-24, the public health emergency has been extended until August 29, 2020.

Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2020, Guam was placed in Pandemic Condition of Readiness (PCOR) 3. Under PCOR 3, most activities are permitted to operate under moderate restrictions. Prior to reopening, businesses must submit their reopening plan to the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS). Reopening plans must be emailed to PCOR3Plans@dphss.guam.gov.

Effective at 8 a.m. today, July 20, 2020, social gatherings, including but not limited to, gatherings outdoors or in private accomodations, are limited to no more than fifty (50) persons, regardless of whether the individuals are of a single household unit.

Public and private schools not already operating under the pilot program permitted in Executive Order No. 2020-20, are permitted to open under Minimum Requirements for Re-Opening K-12 School and Institutions of Higher Learning as set forth in DPHSS Memo 2020-27, or any other applicable DPHSS Guidance.

The authorization first granted to DPHSS to develop temporary guidance for the importation, distribution, and sale of specific COVID-19 related commodities is extended and shall remain in effect for the duration of the current public health emergency, or any extension thereof. Any COVID-19 relative commodities not processed in accordance with DPHSS adopted guidance since the expiration of Executive Order No. 2020-19 may begin to be processed again upon the effective date of this Order.

Continue to Practice Caution

Although Guam is in PCOR3, it is important for the community to continue to take precautionary measures to slow the possible spread of COVID-19. In accordance with EO 2020-16, social distancing of 6 ft. or more and the use of face masks is required unless engaged in physical exercise or eating.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The community is reminded to continue to take the following precautions:

Maintain a distance of 6 feet between yourself and others
Wear facial coverings around others and in public establishments
Adhere to respective business protocols in place for protection from COVID-19
Practice good hygiene frequently. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Frequently clean and disinfect high contact areas
Avoid touching your face with unclean hands
Stay home if you are sick

Expanded COVID-19 Testing Continues

DPHSS, in collaboration with the Government of Guam, the Mayors Council of Guam, private, and federal agencies, continues expanded COVID-19 testing.

Testing is free and open to the public while supplies last. No symptoms are needed to qualify for testing. If your village is not listed, please proceed to a neighboring village for testing. Please bring an I.D., if one is available. The expanded testing schedule is as follows:

COVID-19 Drive-Through/Walk-In Testing:

Wednesday, July 22, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Tamuning Elementary School
Thursday, July 23, 2020, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Asan-Maina Mayor’s Office

If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, please call your health care provider. If a patient does not have a regular health care provider, they can call any of the Community Health Centers or the DPHSS Medical Triage Hotline phone numbers listed below to report symptoms and obtain guidance from clinicians, or call 311 and dial option number 1.

(671) 480-7859
(671) 480-6760/3
(671) 480-7883
(671) 687-6170 (ADA Dedicated Number)

20.0719 Executive Order No. 2020-24 - Relative to Declaring Pandemic Condition of Readiness (PCOR) 3

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.

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. 230 - Governor Signs Executive Order 2020-24; Continue to Practice Caution;Expanded COVID-19 Testing Continues