JIC RELEASE NO. 311 - One Additional GDOE Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19;DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2020-11 Rev7

   

JIC RELEASE NO. 311 - One Additional GDOE Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19;DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2020-11 Rev7

COVID-19 test results are reported from multiple labs at varying times of the day. The Joint Information Center will report cumulative COVID-19 test results once a day, unless unavailable. 

For information on COVID-19 cases, visit the COVID-19 Dashboard and Situation Report at http://dphss.guam.gov/covid-19/. The COVID-19 Dashboard is updated on business days.


One Additional GDOE Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
On Monday, September 7, 2020, the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) confirmed that an employee from Harry S. Truman Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19.

The GDOE is working closely with the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) to conduct contact tracing and close contacts of the confirmed cases will be contacted directly by DPHSS. A close contact is an individual who has come in face-to-face contact with a confirmed COVID-19 individual for at least 10 minutes or more and within six feet, or who has had direct contact with infectious secretions of the confirmed COVID-19 individual (e.g. being coughed on). 

Areas of the campus have been identified for cleaning and disinfecting. GDOE employees will not have access to these areas until cleaning has been completed.


DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2020-11 Rev7
DPHSS issued Guidance Memo 2020-11 Rev7 relative to the quarantine requirements for all persons arriving in Guam. 

The following clarification is provided and is applicable to Executive Order 2020-04, 2020-11, 2020-14, 2020-16, 2020-20, 2020-22, 2020-24, 2020-28, 2020-29, 2020-30, and any other Executive Orders regarding entry into Guam and the March 31, 2020, Public Health Directive relative to quarantine of all persons arriving in Guam.

Effective 12:00PM on Friday, August 21, 2020, and to continue for an initial period through 12:00PM on September 11, 2020, Executive Order No. 2020-30, restricting entry into Guam. Pursuant to Section 3333, Article 3, Chapter 3, Title 10, Guam Code Annotated, all persons entering Guam shall be subject to quarantine in accordance with the Department of Public Health and Social Services guidance.

Therefore, as part of Guam’s ongoing effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, all persons entering Guam by air or sea shall be subject to a 14-day quarantine at a Government of Guam Quarantine Facility or approved rental lodging or personal residence.

Individuals permitted to quarantine at their personal residence or rental lodging location must meet certain criteria as contained in this Guidance document – in these instances, individuals must be tested for COVID-19 and receive a negative test result. The Guam DPHSS will accept two types of diagnostic tests which detect the virus – molecular test, such as RT-PCR tests, which detect the virus’s genetic material, and antigen tests, which detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus. These tests identify people who are currently infected with the coronavirus. An antibody (serology) test should not be used to diagnose an active coronavirus infection as antibodies can take several days or weeks to develop after infection and may remain in the blood for several more weeks. 

In coordination with the Guam International Airport Authority (GIAA), transiting passengers may be asked to remain in a designated section of the airport facility while awaiting connecting flights less than 13 hours from landing time to departure time. Transiting passengers awaiting connecting flights in excess of 13 hours will quarantine at the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility until they are transported to GIAA to transit off Guam.

All persons are required to fill out a Health Declaration Form upon arrival to Guam. Those who are subject to quarantine restrictions are required to sign a Voluntary Quarantine Acknowledgement. Persons who choose not to sign will be subject to Involuntary Quarantine.

Costs associated with the quarantine and/or treatment for persons who are subject to restricted entry into Guam pursuant to Executive Orders 2020-04, 2020-11, 2020-14, 2020-16, 2020-20, 2020-22, and 2020-24 shall be the responsibility of the individual and the individual’s contracted carrier.  In addition, all damages to assigned property will be the responsibility of the occupant.

Compliance with voluntary quarantine regardless of location is subject to monitoring, verification, and enforcement. The knowing and intentional failure to follow any part of this order constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than one year or both (10 GCA, Chapter 19, §19604 (c) Cooperation). 

This travel guidance does not apply to individuals identified as contacts to persons with COVID-19.  Contacts will be subject to quarantine based on Guam Department of Public Health and Social Service contact investigation and quarantine protocols as well as CDC’s guidelines, which may extend the quarantine period beyond 14 days.

For questions or concerns regarding this document, please submit an inquiry at http://dphss.guam.gov or send an email to dphss_quarantine@dphss.guam.gov.


Arrival Protocols:

A. ARRIVING PASSENGERS:

Arriving passengers (air or sea) are subject to a 14-day quarantine period at a Government of Guam Quarantine Facility, regardless of test results.  

By signing a Voluntary Quarantine Acknowledgement, arriving passengers agree to the following:

 

  1. To comply with the voluntary quarantine order for 14 days from date of arrival

  2. To be transported directly from the airport to a Government of Guam Quarantine Facility

  3. To remain in their assigned room in a Government of Guam Quarantine Facility

  4. To not receive any visitors or visit any other rooms in the facility

  5. To be monitored daily for symptoms of COVID-19

  6. To leave quarantine location only for medical emergencies and approved medical appointments.

  7. Individuals departing by air or sea during their quarantine period will be permitted to leave the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility to transit off Guam if they provide verifiable departure information. Transportation will be provided from the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility to A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport for those traveling by air. However, transportation for individuals departing by sea will be the responsibility of the vessel agent. 

  

B. ARRIVING PASSENGERS FROM COUNTRIES WITH NO REPORTED CASES

Arriving passengers (air or sea) with direct flight/voyage into Guam that originate from a country with No Reported Cases are not required to have a COVID-19 test and are not required to quarantine. However, the following will apply:

  1. To observe social distancing, wear protective face coverings, and practice proper hand-washing etiquette

  2. To self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms:

    1. a. Chills
    2. b. Shortness of breath
    3. c. Cough, runny nose, sore throat
    4. d. Headache/Muscle aches
    5. e. Feel feverish
    6. f.  Loss of smell or taste 
  3. To report any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 to their healthcare provider and immediately isolate if they become symptomatic.

  4. To be tested for COVID-19 at any private or public clinics if they are symptomatic.  

  5. To access beaches or parks only for the purpose of individual exercise. 

  6. To adhere to any Executive Order currently in place for Guam as it pertains to the Public Health Emergency.

 

C.   ESSENTIAL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WITH DPHSS ENDORSEMENT LETTER:

Essential Healthcare Professionals (EHP). To qualify for home quarantine with Restriction of Movement (ROM) guidelines allowing EHPs to report to work during their quarantine period, EHP’s are required to present an endorsement letter from the DPHSS Director at the airport upon arrival and an acceptable COVID-19 negative test result. For those without an endorsement letter from the DPHSS Director or an acceptable COVID-19 negative test result, EHPs will be taken to the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility until they are able to obtain both. DPHSS will facilitate testing at the site as necessary, subject to availability.

Spouse and dependents must also present an acceptable COVID-19 negative test result. Spouse and dependents without an acceptable COVID-19 negative test result will be sent to the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility along with the EHPs until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result. Spouse and dependents must adhere to quarantine at their personal residence or rental lodging.

To request an endorsement letter from DPHSS Director authorizing classification as an Essential Healthcare Professional, please visit the DPHSS website at dphss.guam.gov.

Currently there are two types of diagnostic tests accepted by the DPHSS that detect SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): molecular test, such as RT-PCR tests, that detect the virus’s genetic material, and antigen tests that detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus. These tests identify people who are currently infected with the coronavirus. An antibody (serology) test should not be used to diagnose an active coronavirus infection as antibodies can take several days or weeks to develop after infection and may remain in the blood for several more weeks. In each case, the individual’s specimen must have been collected no more than 5 days prior to arrival on Guam. At a minimum, test results must include patient name, specimen collection date, and the type of test run.

Essential Healthcare Professionals must adhere to the following requirements:

  1. Must sign a Voluntary Quarantine Acknowledgement.

  2. Must provide:

    1. Quarantine location address

    2. A working phone number, where they may be contacted

    3. Name and location where the EHP will be working

    4. Email address

  3. May leave the quarantine location to: attend work, purchase groceries, exercise individually outdoors, and pick up curbside/drive-through food services.

  4. May leave quarantine location for medical emergencies and approved medical appointments.

  5. Must adhere to symptom monitoring before each shift and at least four (4) hours after starting each shift by their healthcare organization’s infection control staff.

  6. Must report any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 to their healthcare organization’s infection control staff, and immediately stop working and isolate if they become symptomatic.

  7. May elect to quarantine within the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility alongside spouse and dependents (in the event they are sent to the Government Facility). If electing to do so, they will not be allowed to leave for work.

  8. Individuals departing by air or sea during their quarantine period will be permitted to leave the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility to transit off Guam if they provide verifiable departure information. Transportation will be provided from the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility to A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport for those traveling by air.

 

D.   CRITICAL SERVICES WORKER WITH DPHSS ENDORSEMENT LETTER: 

Critical Services Worker (Mission Essential): (DoD Sub-Contractors, civilian construction, federal government, scientific, law enforcement, research, industrial technical professionals, bank couriers, etc.) may be considered essential for the functioning of Guam; however, in order to maintain the protection of public health, the following requirements apply:

Critical Services Worker (CSW). To qualify for home quarantine with Restriction of Movement (ROM) guidelines allowing CSWs to report to work during their quarantine period, CSWs are required to present an endorsement letter from the DPHSS Director at the airport upon arrival and an acceptable COVID-19 negative test result.

Spouse and dependents of CSW must also present an acceptable COVID-19 negative test result in order to home quarantine with the CSW. Spouse and dependents must adhere to quarantine guidelines at their personal residence or rental lodging location.

CSWs who do not possess an endorsement letter and acceptable COVID-19 negative test results shall be transported from the airport to a Government of Guam Quarantine Facility with their spouse and dependents where they will remain until they receive the necessary clearances.

To request an endorsement letter from DPHSS Director authorizing classification as a Critical Services Worker, please visit the DPHSS website at dphss.guam.gov.

Currently there are two types of DPHSS-acceptable diagnostic tests that detect SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): molecular test, such as RT-PCR tests, that detect the virus’s genetic material, and antigen tests that detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus. These tests identify people who are currently infected with the coronavirus. An antibody (serology) test should not be used to diagnose an active coronavirus infection as antibodies can take several days or weeks to develop after infection and may remain in the blood for several more weeks. In each case, the individual’s specimen must have been collected no more than 5 days prior to arrival on Guam. Test results must include patient name, specimen collection date, and the type of test conducted.  

Critical Services Workers must adhere to the following requirements:

  1. Must sign a Voluntary Quarantine Acknowledgement.

  2. Must provide:

    1. Quarantine location address

    2. A working phone number, where they may be contacted

    3. Name and location where the EHP will be working

    4. Email address

  3. May leave the quarantine location to: attend work, purchase groceries, exercise independently outdoors, and get curbside/drive-through food services.

  4. May leave quarantine location for medical emergencies and approved medical appointments.

  5. Must adhere to symptom monitoring by the DPHSS.

  6. Must report any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 to DPHSS quarantine monitoring staff, and immediately stop working and isolate if they become symptomatic.

  7. May elect to quarantine within the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility alongside spouse and dependents (in the event they are sent to the Government Facility). If electing to do so, they will not be allowed to leave for work.

  8. Individuals departing by air or sea during their quarantine period will be permitted to leave the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility to transit off Guam if they provide verifiable departure information. Transportation will be provided from the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility to A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport for those traveling by air. However, transportation for individuals departing by sea will be the responsibility of the vessel agent. 

 

E. UNACCOMPANIED MINORS

A minor is defined as a person under the age of majority, which legally demarcates childhood from adulthood. The age of majority in Guam is eighteen. Therefore, persons below the age of 18 are minors.

An unaccompanied minor is defined as a minor who travels into Guam without the presence of a parent or legal guardian. Upon arrival into Guam, the airline will follow their protocols for Unaccompanied Minor Service. Child Protective Services will be notified for all unaccompanied minors arriving in Guam without a parent, legal guardian, or authorized representative presenting at the airport.

Unaccompanied Minors shall complete a 14-day quarantine period at a Government of Guam Quarantine Facility, regardless of test results, unless the minor(s) 1) arrives to Guam on a direct flight originating from a country with no reported cases, 2) are dependents of an essential healthcare worker or critical services worker and accompanied them on the flight, or 3) qualifies for or are dependents of those approved for medical referrals/emergency/hardship exemptions.

Parent, legal guardian, or authorized representative must meet the minor at the airport and provide photo identification in order to receive minor. The parent, legal guardian, or authorized representative will be required to sign a Voluntary Quarantine Acknowledgement form and must identify the person who will provide adult supervision and remain with the minor while at the Government of Guam quarantine facility.  

By signing a Voluntary Quarantine Acknowledgement, (must be completed by child’s parent, legal guardian or authorized representative), arriving passengers agree to the following:

 

  1. To comply with the voluntary quarantine order for 14 days from date of arrival

  2. To be transported directly from the airport to a Government of Guam Quarantine Facility

  3. To remain in their assigned room in a Government of Guam Quarantine Facility

  4. To not receive any visitors or visit any other rooms in the facility

  5. To be monitored daily for symptoms of COVID-19

  6. To leave quarantine location only for medical emergencies and approved medical appointments.

  7. Individuals with departing flights during their quarantine period will be permitted to leave the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility to transit off Guam if they provide verifiable flight information. Transportation will be provided from the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility to A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport.

 

F. Airline Crew Members and Federal Aviation Authority Staff - Resident and Non-Resident of Guam are considered CSWs for the functioning of Guam.

DEFINITIONS:

AIR: Crew member arriving by “Air” is defined as flight crew working on the arriving flights or commuting to work on an upcoming passenger or cargo flights. Crew members must be listed on the “General Declaration” as provided by the Airline or pre-listed by DPHSS.

      Resident of Guam: Defined as crew members who are residents of Guam.

Non-Resident of Guam: Defined as crew members who do not permanently reside on Guam.

These persons must provide:

  1. A valid physical address

  2. A working phone number where they can be contacted

  3. An email address.

Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) staff are defined as FAA employees who travel to Guam for the specific purpose of performing official duties in maintaining critical air transportation services. These persons must be non-residents performing official duties on Guam or residents returning from performing official duty.

Airline Crew/FAA staff - Resident of Guam

  1. All crew members and FAA staff are expected to adhere to the general protocols outlined by their employing organization, designed to mitigate COVID-19 transmission.

  2. While in Guam, crew members and FAA staff must observe social distancing, wear face coverings and practice proper hand-washing etiquette.

  3. Arriving crew members and FAA staff are not required to quarantine or undergo COVID-19 testing 

  4. Arriving crew members and FAA staff are required to adhere to Executive Order 2020-30

  5. All crew members and FAA staff will self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, and immediately notify their primary healthcare provider if symptoms develop.


Airline Crew/FAA staff – Non-Resident of Guam

  1. Crew members and FAA staff shall adhere to the general protocols outlined by their employing Airline, designed to mitigate COVID-19 transmission.

  2. Crew members and FAA staff shall sign a Voluntary Quarantine Acknowledgement.

  3. These crew members and FAA staff must self-quarantine within their personal residence or rental lodging.

  4. While in Guam, crew members and FAA staff who are commuting or transiting can leave their rental lodging to pick up curbside/drive-through food services, shop for essential groceries, exercise individually outdoors, or access medical care.

  5. Non-resident FAA staff may leave their quarantine location to perform all official duties necessary to maintain critical air transportation services for Guam

  6. While in Guam, crew members and FAA staff must observe social distancing, wear face coverings and practice proper hand-washing etiquette. 

  7. All crew members and FAA staff will self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, and immediately notify their primary healthcare provider if symptoms develop.

 

G.   Vessel Crew Members – Resident and Non-Resident of Guam: for any conveyance, arriving by “air or sea” will self-quarantine at their personal residence or rental lodging location.

Vessel Crew is defined as crew working on the arriving vessel or commuting to work on an upcoming passenger or cargo ocean vessel. Crew members shall adhere to the general protocols outlined by their Maritime employer, designed to mitigate COVID-19 transmission.

Vessel Crew must adhere to the following requirements:

  1. Must sign a Voluntary Quarantine Acknowledgement.

  2. Must provide:

    1. Quarantine location address

    2. A working phone number, where they may be contacted

    3. Name of Vessel

    4. Email address

  3. Qualifying Vessel Crew members must adhere to the Home Quarantine Restriction of Movement guidelines that will be provided at the point of entry.

  4. While in Guam, crew members must observe social distancing, wear face coverings and practice proper hand-washing etiquette.

  5. All crew members will self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, and immediately notify primary care physician if symptoms develop.

  6. Individuals departing by air or sea during their quarantine period will be permitted to transit off Guam if they provide verifiable departure information. Transportation must be arranged by your agent/employer.

 

H.   Medical Referrals:

Many of our neighboring islanders recognize Guam as a destination for quality medical care. Any person arriving to Guam with an urgent medical appointment as documented in a medical referral from an off-island provider will need to submit a request prior to arrival through dphss.guam.gov.

Approval allows these individuals to complete their 14-day quarantine period at their personal residence or rental lodging location with a Restriction of Movement (ROM) guideline that allows them to leave their quarantine location to attend their urgent medical appointments. These individuals must present at the airport upon arrival a valid COVID-19 negative test results collected no more than 5 days prior to arrival on Guam. If test results are not provided, the individual must agree to schedule and receive a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival.

Those who have serious or acute medical conditions, but do not have a medical referral to receive care on Guam, will follow the guidelines in Section I (Emergency Hardship).

In order to access medical care or treatment, Medical Referral Passengers arriving to Guam shall adhere to the following requirements:

  1. Sign a Voluntary Quarantine Acknowledgement  

  2. Provide:

    1. Quarantine location address

    2. A working phone number, where passengers can be contacted

    3. Email address

  3. Adhere to the home quarantine Restriction of Movement guidelines that will be provided at the airport.

  4. Adhere to any Executive Order currently in place for Guam as it pertains to the Public      Health Emergency.

  5. Individuals with departing flights during their quarantine period will be permitted to transit off Guam if they provide verifiable flight information.

Care Providers and Traveling Companions:

Care providers and traveling companions of medical referral passengers are allowed to home quarantine with ROM. Upon arrival, they must present a valid COVID-19 negative test result collected no more than 5 days prior to arrival on Guam. If test results are not provided, the individual must agree to schedule and receive a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival. Care providers and traveling companions will adhere to the same quarantine requirements as the medical referral passengers that they are accompanying.  

I. Emergency / Hardship:  

Any person arriving in Guam with a family emergency; a serious, acute medical condition; a behavioral health condition; a recent medical procedure or surgery; a request for consideration of an emergency or hardship circumstance including funerals must adhere to the following:

  1. Persons must go directly from the airport to a Government of Guam Quarantine Facility with the exception of H. (Medical Referrals).

  2. Persons will be assessed by the Medical, Behavioral Health, and Public Health staff at the Government of Guam quarantine facility to determine necessary services, which may include an option to leave quarantine on a limited basis for a single event or transfer to home quarantine.

    1.  Individuals must offer documentation and information regarding the emergency/hardship to Medical, Behavioral Health, and Public Health staff

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

  3. To be eligible for emergency/hardship consideration, persons must receive a COVID-19 negative test result (post-arrival).

  4. 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

  5. Those who are approved to leave quarantine for a single time-limited event/activity, must agree to the following:

    1. Return to the Government of Guam quarantine facility at the conclusion of the    approved event duration to complete the remainder of their 14-day quarantine

    2. Wear personal protective equipment as directed by Public Health staff and adhere to social distancing requirements during the entire activity

    3. Be transported to and from the Government of Guam Quarantine facility and supervised by authorized Government of Guam staff (e.g., law enforcement officers, National Guard, other authorized DPHSS or Department of Public Works staff, etc.) during the event

    4. Authorized events will typically be approved for  two (2) hours in duration

  6. For those that are found eligible to quarantine at home, they must agree to the following:

    1. Sign a new Voluntary Quarantine Acknowledgement.

    2. Provide:

      1.  Quarantine location address,

      2. A working phone number, where they may be contacted, and

      3. Email address.

    3. Not leave the quarantine location except to attend to the emergency/hardship at authorized times.

    4. Undergo symptom monitoring by the Department of Public Health and Social Services.

    5. Return to the Government of Guam quarantine facility if found to be 

   non-adherent to symptom monitoring and/or quarantine.

  1. Persons that opt out of testing or are not granted emergency/hardship approval, the original Voluntary Quarantine Acknowledgement applies, which means they agree:

    1.  To comply with the voluntary quarantine order for 14-days from date of arrival.

    2. To remain in the Government of Guam designated quarantine facility in their assigned room.

    3. To not receive any visitors and not go to any other rooms in the facility.To be monitored daily for symptoms of COVID-19.

    4. To comply with symptom monitoring and tracking for the duration of stay up to 14 days.  

    5. To observe social distancing, wear face coverings and practice proper hand-washing etiquette.

    6. To leave quarantine location only for medical emergencies and approved medical appointments.

    7. Individuals departing by air or sea during their quarantine period will be permitted to leave the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility to transit off Guam if they provide verifiable departure information. Transportation will be provided from the Government of Guam Quarantine Facility to A.B. Won Pat Guam International Airport for those traveling by air. However, transportation for individuals departing by sea will be the responsibility of the vessel agent. 

 

J. Active Duty Military and Dependents

Active Duty military and dependents, DoD civilians and dependents, and DoD prime contractors arriving by commercial air or sea are subject to the following:

  1. Active duty, DoD civilians, and 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.

  2. Active duty, DoD civilians, and 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 A.

 

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 2020-11 Rev7 (09-07-20)

 

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