JIC RELEASE NO. 5. - Executive Order Provides Guidance for COVID-19 Response; What’s Open, What’s Closed
Joint Information Center - JIC Release No. 5
March 16, 2020, 10:00 a.m. (ChST)
Today, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order 2020-04 relative to responding to confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The Executive Order closes all non-essential Government of Guam (GovGuam) offices, closes all public and private schools, and prohibits large gatherings.
As a result of revised guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued earlier today, the Executive Order downwardly adjusts the prohibition on large gatherings. That prohibition now applies to gatherings of 50 or more people in a single room or single space at the same time for social, spiritual, and recreational activities, including, but not limited to, community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based, or sporting events, parades, concerts, festivals, fiestas, conventions, fundraisers, and similar activities throughout Guam.
The Executive Order also limits the occupancy of any place of business or public accommodation for which attendance is anticipated to be fewer than 50 people, and shall operate at no greater than 50% occupancy and no greater than 50% of seating capacity. This directive does not apply to retail establishments providing basic food and necessities such as grocery and convenience stores, hospitals, pharmacies, or other medical offices and facilities.
Effective immediately, non-resident travelers seeking entry into Guam who have spent a week or more in jurisdictions affected by COVID-19 will be subject to mandatory quarantine. The mandatory quarantine will be applied unless the traveler possesses a DPHSS recognized and certified document that attests he or she is not infected with COVID-19. Returning residents without the same certification will be subject to quarantine in their homes for a minimum of 14 days.
Mandates of the Executive Order will be enforced by DPHSS who may call upon the assistance of the Guam Police Department (GPD).
The Joint Information Center received the following updates regarding closures or updated hours of operation:
The U.S. Renal Care Dialysis Centers remain open until further notice. Patients will be contacted if there are changes to scheduled appointments. Patients are encouraged to contact the centers directly for more information:
All village Mayor’s Offices will remain open until further notice. All village gyms remain closed until further notice.
Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base are assessing the situation and will provide a list of closures this afternoon as appropriate.
Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base Commissaries are closed.
DoDEA schools remain open at this time.
The Guam National Guard Readiness Center remains open and resumes normal operations at this time. Additional information will be provided if there are changes.
It is important to note that the situation can change quickly. The community is reminded to only share official notices and visit the following links for the most up-to-date information:
It is important to note that the spread of COVID-19 is a dynamic situation and information may change as it develops.
For more information, contact DPHSS Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (671) 735-7154.
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