JIC RELEASE NO. 634 - Governor Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2021-08; DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-12; Avoid Sharing Unofficial and Unverified Information - GHS OCD

Governor Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2021-08
Today, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order No. 2021-08 relative to further amending restrictions in Pandemic Condition of Readiness 3 (PCOR 3), and orders such that:

EFFECTIVE AT 8:00AM ON FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021, places of worship may increase occupancy to no more than seventy five percent (75%) of occupancy load. Places of worship intending to operate under this modified occupancy load must submit revised facility mitigation plans to the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) in order to operate under this Section. Places of worship shall additionally observe all mitigation measures imposed in applicable DPHSS guidance, including, but not limited to, social distancing of at least six (6) feet and posting of appropriate signage; frequent cleaning of all surfaces; and mandating the wearing of face masks. Congregants of places of worship operating shall follow all mitigation measures imposed in furtherance of DPHSS Guidance.
EFFECTIVE AT 8:00AM ON FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021, contact athletics, including those available at educational institutions, may resume competition subject to applicable DPHSS Guidance, which shall include limits on spectators, requirements for sanitization, and the wearing of masks whenever practicable.
EFFECTIVE AT 8:00AM ON FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021, indoor dining at eating and drinking establishments shall be permitted to increase occupancy to no more than seventy five percent (75%) of occupancy load, subject to requirement and limitations set forth in applicable DPHSS Guidance. Tables shall continue to be limited to no more than eight (8) persons when dining indoors, with six (6) feet distance between tables. Outdoor diners may be seated with no more than fifteen (15) persons per table, with six (6) feet between tables.
MANDATORY SOCIAL DISTANCING: All allowed activities shall be conducted utilizing mitigation measures identified in applicable DPHSS guidance memoranda, which may including, but not limited to, social distancing of at least six (6) feet and posting of appropriate signage; frequent cleaning of all surfaces; mandating the wearing of face masks unless engaged in physical exercise, eating or drinking; and permitting/encouraging teleworking.

The community is reminded that pursuant to 26 GAR Chapter 4 Article 28, fines may be imposed for violations of various mandates in applicable DPHSS Guidance Memoranda. All prior Executive Orders remain in full force and effect except to the extent they conflict with Executive Order 2021-08.

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-12
Yesterday, DPHSS issued Guidance Memo 2021-12, relative to outdoor graduation ceremony requirements for high schools and institutions of higher education (IHE). The requirements set forth in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-12 are intended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 while providing the option for high schools and IHEs to have alternative graduation ceremonies.

DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-12 provides general requirements and restrictions for social distancing, cleaning and disinfecting, with mandates which include, but are not limited to the following:

Prohibition on indoor, in-person ceremonies
Attendees must be limited to school faculty and staff, graduates, and no more than four (4) guests per graduate provided that the outdoor area can accommodate the required physical distancing
Attendees must pre-register with each school prior to the graduation ceremony in order to be allowed entrance to attend the event
All attendees (graduates, family members/guests, school staff and faculty) must wear face masks at all times
All high school graduates are able to be physically distanced from each other by 3 feet of space
Each graduate’s group of guests, with no more than 4 persons per graduate, are to be physically distanced between each group by 6 feet
High-touch areas and toilet facilities should be properly staffed to service, clean, and disinfect prior to, during, and after the event

To view DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-12 in its entirety, click HERE.

All high schools and IHEs intending to hold outdoor graduation ceremonies must develop and submit a detailed COVID-19 mitigation plan to DPHSS at least 21 days prior to the scheduled graduation ceremony. All plans should be sent via email to dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov. Schools which anticipate holding graduation ceremonies sooner than 21 days from April 13, 2021 are to contact DPHSS Division of Environmental Health (DEH) immediately.

Inquiries about DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-12 can be made by contacting the DPHSS DEH at 300-9579 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and holidays, or via email dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov.

Avoid Sharing Unofficial and Unverified Information
The Joint Information Center is aware of unverified messages circulating on chat groups and social media about applying for a COVID-19 federal relief fund that takes users to a false link. The community is reminded to only share verified, official information with others to avoid the spread of misinformation.

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 2021-12 Graduation Ceremony Requirements (04.13.21)

Click here to view 21.0414 SSD to Speaker Terlaje re Executive Order No. 2021-08 - Relative to Further Amending Restrictions During Pandemic Condition of Readiness (PCOR) 3

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. 634 - Governor Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2021-08; DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-12; Avoid Sharing Unofficial and Unverified Information