JIC RELEASE NO. 703 - DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-11 Rev. 12

Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2021-11 Rev. 12, relative to amending restrictions for incoming travelers and quarantine facilities, in accordance with Executive Order No. 2021-13. DPHSS Memo 2020-11 Rev. 12 provides guidance for quarantine and quarantine exemption protocols:

•  FULLY VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS. Individuals who are fully vaccinated with a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) COVID-19 vaccine, or with a World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Listing (EUL) COVID-19 vaccine, may be exempt from quarantine. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine.

• Fully Vaccinated without Immediate Proof of US FDA or WHO EUL COVID-19 Vaccination. Individuals who are unable to present immediate proof of vaccination at the port of entry may be eligible for exemption from quarantine subject to the following requirements:

  • Individuals must sign a Voluntary Quarantine Acknowledgement form, as provided in Section I.

  • Individuals must be quarantined at the QFAC and monitored for symptoms until such time as DPHSS is able to verify vaccination status.

  • Individuals are encouraged to assist DPHSS in verifying their vaccination status, as necessary.

  • If Proof of Verification is obtained, the individual will be released from quarantine but must self-monitor for 14  days after arrival.

  • Fully vaccinated individuals qualifying for an exemption from quarantine under this section are subject to the following requirements:

    • Individuals must observe social distancing, wear protective face coverings, and practice proper hand-washing etiquette;

    • Individuals must self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after arrival;

    • Individuals must adhere to any Executive Order currently in place for Guam as it pertains to the Public Health Emergency.

Failure to satisfy any of the requirements listed above will result in being subject to the original voluntary quarantine order. 

• INDIVIDUALS WITH A PREVIOUS COVID-19 INFECTION. Individuals who have contracted and recovered from COVID-19 within the 3 months preceding their arrival in Guam, and who show no symptoms of COVID-19 infection, may be eligible for exemption from quarantine. Individuals seeking an exemption from quarantine under this section must present the following documents upon arrival:

  • Photo identification (e.g. passport, driver’s license, state-issued identification);

  • Valid positive COVID-19 test result collected between 10 to 90 days prior to arrival;

  • Valid positive COVID-19 test result collected within 10 days prior to arrival and a subsequent clearance from a physician, clinic or health department.

Individuals who are unable to present the required documents at the port of entry may be eligible for exemption from quarantine subject to the following requirements:

• Individuals must sign a Voluntary Quarantine Acknowledgement form, as provided in Section I.

• Individuals must be quarantined at the QFAC and monitored for symptoms until such time as DPHSS is able to verify whether they qualify for an exemption due to a previous COVID-19 infection and recovery. If an individual becomes symptomatic while at the QFAC, they will be assessed by a DPHSS medical provider.

• Individuals are encouraged to assist DPHSS in verifying whether they qualify for an exemption due to a previous COVID-19 infection and recovery, as necessary.

If Proof of Previous COVID-19 Infection is obtained, the individual will be released from quarantine but must self-monitor for 14 days after arrival. Failure to satisfy any of the requirements listed above will result in being subject to the original voluntary quarantine order.

• ARRIVING PASSENGERS FROM COUNTRIES WITH NO (ACTIVE) CASES OR IMPORTED/SPORADIC CASES. Arriving passengers (air or sea) who originate from a country with a transmission classification of “No (Active) Cases” or “Imported/Sporadic cases,” as defined by the WHO, are not required to quarantine upon arrival into Guam.

  • No (Active) Cases is defined as no cases detected for at least 28 days (two times the maximum incubation period) in the presence of a robust surveillance system. This implies a near-zero risk of infection for the general population.

  • Imported/Sporadic Cases is defined as cases detected in the past 14 days are all imported, sporadic (e.g. laboratory acquired or zoonotic) or are all linked to imported/sporadic cases, and there are no clear signals of further locally acquired transmission. This implies a minimal risk of infection for the general population.

  • Arriving passengers (air or sea) qualifying for an exemption from quarantine under this section are subject to the following requirements:

    • Individuals must observe social distancing, wear protective face coverings, and practice proper hand-washing etiquette;

    • Individuals must self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after arrival;

    • Individuals must adhere to any Executive Order currently in place for Guam as it pertains to the Public Health Emergency.

• PRE-ARRIVAL NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST. Passengers who do not qualify for exemption from quarantine as outlined in Section II may qualify for quarantine at a rental lodging or personal residence. In order to qualify, passengers must present the following at the airport upon arrival: (1) an acceptable negative COVID-19 test result collected within 72 hours prior to arrival into Guam, and (2) photo identification (e.g. passport, driver’s license, state-issued identification).

  • Acceptable COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) tests are defined as (1) molecular tests, such as RT-PCR tests, which detect SARS-CoV-2 genetic material, or (2) antigen tests that detect specific proteins on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These tests help to identify whether individuals are currently infected with the coronavirus. At a minimum, test results must include patient name, date of birth, specimen collection date, and the type of COVID-19 test performed.

• Minors Accompanying Parents, Legal Guardians, or Authorized Representatives. In the event that the parents, legal guardians, or authorized representatives of the subject minor(s) do not have proof of US FDA EUA or WHO EUL COVID-19 vaccination, or a documented previous COVID-19 infection, the parents, legal guardians, or authorized representatives may opt to have an authorized adult pick up the minor(s) at the airport, or have the minor(s) stay with them at the quarantine facility.

  • Minors accompanying their parent, legal guardian, or authorized representative into the government quarantine facility must remain under the parent, legal guardian, or authorized representatives’ supervision in the assigned room for the duration of their stay. Because the minor was exempt from quarantine at the point of entry, testing is not required.

• Unaccompanied Minors. An unaccompanied minor arriving in Guam must be met by a parent, legal guardian, or authorized representative at the airport. The parent, legal guardian, or authorized representative must provide photo identification in order to receive the unaccompanied minor. In the event that an unaccompanied minor is not received at the airport by a parent, legal guardian, or authorized representative, DPHSS Child Protective Services will be notified.

• MEDICAL REQUEST PASSENGER (MRP). MRPs who do not qualify for exemption from quarantine as outlined in Section II may qualify for quarantine at a rental lodging or personal residence with Restriction of Movement (ROM) guidelines allowing MRPs to leave their quarantine location to attend medical appointments. Such MRPs must meet the following criteria: (1) the MRP must submit a request to quarantine at a rental lodging or personal residence to DPHSS at dphss.guam.gov/quarantine prior to arrival; (2) such request must contain supporting documentation, including a medical referral from a referring healthcare provider; (3) the MRP must present an acceptable negative COVID-19 test result collected within 72 hours of arrival in Guam. If test results are not provided, the individual must agree to schedule and receive an acceptable COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival into Guam.

  • Individuals with serious or acute medical conditions who do not have a medical referral to receive care on Guam should submit a request at dphss.guam.gov/quarantine prior to arrival.

  • Emergency medical requests may be considered on a case-by-case basis at the port of entry. The individual will be required to provide supporting documentation for verification of the circumstances.

  • MRPs must adhere to the following requirements:

    • Must sign a Voluntary Quarantine Acknowledgement form;

    • Must provide:

      • Their quarantine location address,

      • A working phone number where they may be contacted, and

      • A working email address;

    • Must adhere to MRP ROM guidelines that will be provided at the airport;

    • Must adhere to any Executive Order currently in place for Guam as it pertains to the Public Health Emergency; and,

    • Must self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14  days after arrival.

• EMERGENCY/HARDSHIP (EH). Persons who do not qualify for exemption from quarantine as outlined in Section II may request for EH status due to a personal or family emergency. Persons seeking EH status must adhere to the following requirements:

  • Must go directly from the airport to a Government of Guam Quarantine Facility;

  • Must agree to be assessed by the Medical, Behavioral Health, or Public Health staff at the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility to determine necessary services, which may include an option to leave quarantine on a time-limited basis for a specific EH event/activity or transfer to home quarantine;

  • Individuals must provide documentation and information regarding the emergency/hardship to Medical, Behavioral Health, or Public Health staff;

  • Reviews for emergency/hardship may take several days depending on the completeness of documentation and availability of COVID-19 testing;

  • Must receive an acceptable negative COVID-19 test result (post-arrival); and,

  • Government of Guam Quarantine Facility Medical, Behavioral Health, and Public Health staff will determine whether a person’s emergency/hardship situation qualifies for an option to leave quarantine for a time-limited activity or transfer to home quarantine on a case-by-case basis.

• AIRLINE CREW MEMBERS AND FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION STAFF. Airline Crew Members who do not qualify for exemption from quarantine as outlined in Section II will be subject to the following guidelines. 

• Resident Airline Crew/FAA Staff must adhere to the following upon arrival in Guam:

  • Must adhere to the general protocols outlined by their employer, designed to mitigate COVID-19 transmission;

  • Must observe social distancing, wear face coverings and practice proper hand-washing etiquette; and

  • Are not required to quarantine or undergo COVID-19 testing;

  • Must adhere to any Executive Order currently in place for Guam as it pertains to the Public Health Emergency; and,

  • Must self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, and immediately notify their primary healthcare provider if symptoms develop.

• Non-Resident Airline Crew/FAA Staff must adhere to the following upon arrival in Guam:

  • Must sign a Voluntary Quarantine Acknowledgement form;

  • Must provide:

    • A valid physical address;

    • A working phone number where they can be contacted; and

    • A working email address.

  • Must adhere to the general protocols outlined by their employer, designed to mitigate COVID-19 transmission;

  • Must self-quarantine within their personal residence or rental lodging for 10 days;

  • May only leave the quarantine location for the following purposes: to perform all official duties necessary to maintain critical air transportation services for Guam, purchase groceries, exercise outdoors, pick up curbside/drive-through food services, and for medical emergencies and medical appointments;

  • Must observe social distancing, wear face coverings and practice proper hand-washing etiquette; and

  • Must self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 , and immediately notify their primary healthcare provider if symptoms develop.

• VESSEL CREW MEMBERS. Vessel Crew Members who do not qualify for exemption from quarantine as outlined in Section II will be subject to the following guidelines:

  • Crew names must be provided to DPHSS at least 24 hours prior to arrival in Guam by an authorized local vessel agent/employer;

  • A representative of the authorized local vessel agent/employer must be present to provide transportation, or must have made an arrangement with the Department of Public Works to provide transportation of the vessel crew member to the rental lodging or personal residence;

  • The vessel crew member must present an acceptable negative COVID-19 test result collected within 72 hours of arrival in Guam; and

  • The vessel crew member must transit to a scheduled vessel or flight departing within 5 days of arrival into Guam.

  • Vessel Crew Members Arriving from the Seaport. Vessel crew members arriving at the seaport may qualify for quarantine at a rental lodging or personal residence provided the following conditions are met:

    • Crew names must be provided to DPHSS at least 24 hours prior to arrival in Guam by an authorized local vessel agent/employer;

    • A representative of the authorized local vessel agent/employer must be present to provide transportation or have made arrangement with the Department of Public Works to provide transportation of the vessel crew member to the rental lodging or personal residence;

    • The vessel crew member must transit to a scheduled vessel or flight departing within 5 days of arrival in Guam;

    • If the vessel crew member is not departing within 5 days of arrival in Guam, the vessel crew member must receive an acceptable negative COVID-19 test result collected on day 5 or day 6 after arrival into Guam . The COVID-19 test may be administered by a provider designated by the local vessel agent/employer. 

• DOD-AFFILIATED PERSONNEL. Active duty military and dependents, DoD civilians and dependents, and DoD contractors arriving by commercial air or sea are subject to the following requirements if they do not meet the criteria outlined in Section II:

  • Active duty military and dependents, DoD civilians and dependents, and DoD contractors who are on the Joint Task Force listing at the point of entry will follow quarantine guidelines and restriction of movement as established by the DoD.

  • Active duty military and dependents, DoD civilians and dependents, and DoD contractors who are not on the Joint Task Force listing at the point of entry will follow the arriving passengers protocols for the general public established in Section I.

  • Active duty military, DoD civilians, and DoD contractors assigned to visiting units who are fully vaccinated pursuant to Section II.A. but cannot obtain a negative COVID-19 test due to military mission requirements may still be exempt from quarantine where a cognizant DoD medical officer verifies that such personnel have been embarked at sea or otherwise in a sequestered environment for greater than 14 days and are asymptomatic for the COVID-19 virus.

  • Active duty military and dependents, DoD civilians and dependents, and DoD contractors with any questions or concerns regarding applicable military regulations should contact the Naval Base Guam Emergency Operations Center at M-GU-NBG-EOC-BTLWTCH@fe.navy.mil or the Andersen Air Force Base Joint Reception Team at 36WG.JRT.ResponseSection@us.af.mil.

This guidance is subject to change with little to no notice. 

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.