JIC RELEASE NO. 537 - DPHSS Issues Guidance Memos 2021-02 and 2021-03

   

JIC RELEASE NO. 537 - DPHSS Issues Guidance Memos 2021-02 and 2021-03

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-02
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued Guidance Memo 2021-02, relative to minimum requirements for in-class operations of K-12 schools and institutions of higher education in accordance with Section 5 of Executive Order No. 2020-46, relative to authorizing in-person instruction at all institutions of learning.

The purpose of this document is to establish a process by which K-12 Schools (Schools) and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) are required and/or recommended to operate upon such time Schools and IHEs are authorized for in-person classes. The authorization for in-class operations of Schools and IHEs is contingent upon I Maga'hågan Guahan Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero’s promulgation of an Executive Order authorizing such activity. Guidance Memo 2021-02 provides information on:

  • General requirements and restrictions
  • Hygiene and daily practices at schools and IHEs
  • Cleaning, disinfection and ventilation’
  • Social distancing and other protective measures
  • Sick student and employees
  • High risk activities
 

In-Class Operations Plan

A written In-class Operations Plan must be formulated by each individual School and IHE. Each School and IHE’s written In-Class Operations Plan must include and address:

  • Minimum requirements outlined in this DPHSS Guidance Memorandum;
  • Measures to protect high-risk students and employees (older persons, persons with underlying medical conditions);
  • Procedures for sick students and employees, particularly those with COVID-19 symptoms; Procedures for monitoring and enforcing these measures internally, including identification of individuals responsible for such monitoring and enforcement; and 
  • The role of a full-time or part-time school nurse.


Each School and IHE must have a full-time or part-time school nurse to lead and coordinate implementation of the School or IHE’s COVID-19 prevention and control measures. This individual, at a minimum, must:

  • Be designated as the institution’s point-of-contact to respond to DPHSS inquiries and complaints/concerns from students, parents, and employees; and
  • Evaluate, and revise as necessary, the institution’s implementation of its COVID-19 policies and procedures.


Positive results must be reported to DPHSS Medical Operations by calling 311 Option 1. Each School and IHE must implement an absenteeism process tracking the daily attendance of students and employees absent from school. 


Please refer to the attached listing of useful resources:  

  • Attachment A: Guam K-12 Public and Private School, and IHE Reopening Plan Template
  • Attachment B: High Touch Surface Sanitization/Disinfection Guidance
  • Attachment C: List of Other Resources      

 

All In-Class Operating Plans for Schools and IHEs must be emailed to PCOR2Plans@dphss.guam.gov. If plans have previously been submitted, such plans must be resubmitted in accordance with the minimum requirements set forth in this DPHSS Guidance Memorandum.  

 

DPHSS’ initial approval of all submitted plans will be conditional until receipt of plans and compliance inspection by the Division of Environmental Health (DEH).     

 

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-03

DPHSS issued Guidance Memo 2021-03 to advise the public of restrictions and allowances for business and government operations in accordance with Executive Order No. 2021-01, relative to declaring Pandemic Condition of Readiness 2 (PCOR 2):

 
  • EFFECTIVE JANUARY 19, 2021, all Government of Guam offices, agencies, and departments shall recommence any public operations still suspended at 50%, including making accommodations for walk-in services with emphasis on customer facing services provided such offices, agencies, and departments are able to adequately protect their employees and the public through the implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures provided by DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2020-28 (Minimum Requirements for Government of Guam).
  • EFFECTIVE 6:00 AM, JANUARY 18, 2021, in-person instruction for all educational institutions, including public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities and those staff not engaged in distance learning or not performing critical functions is authorized; provided the following are implemented:  
    • Adheres to DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-02; (Minimum Requirements for In-Class Operations of K-12 Schools and Institutions of Higher Education) and any additional requirements as DPHSS deems necessary.
    • Distance learning by schools and its supporting activities is authorized, which include curb-side pick-up, delivery of materials and documents, and teachers utilizing their classrooms to conduct virtual classes.
    • In-person instruction guidelines and protocols approved for the reopening of schools.
  • EFFECTIVE 8:00 AM, JANUARY 16, 2021, amusement parks, bingo halls, game rooms, and similar businesses and activities at 50% of the room’s occupancy load is authorized.
 
Businesses and Services Not Authorized for On-Site Operations: 
  1. Reservations to celebrate private functions (i.e., anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, graduations) at Eating and Drinking Establishments and other public venues where the total number of guests exceed fifteen (15) individuals;
  2. Boat charters for congregations that exceed fifteen (15) individuals;
  3. Bars and taverns;
  4. Contact sporting events of all types and non-contact sports competition or organized games;
  5. Senior Centers; and
  6. Other businesses and services identified by the DPHSS.

Written mitigation plans and requests for authorization are to be submitted to PCOR2plans@dphss.guam.gov.  For further questions, please contact the Division of Environmental Health at 300-9579 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, or email dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov

Both Guidance Memos are attached and may also be viewed in their entirety online at dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-jic-releases-executive-orders/.


GBHWC Crisis Hotline
The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC) has a Crisis Hotline that is available 24/7 at (671) 647-8833/4. For those feeling anxious, stressed, overwhelmed or are needing to talk to someone, GBHWC has experienced providers available and ready to assist the community with any heightened stress and anxiety experienced as a result of COVID-19.

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 2021-03 01.15.21 Final

Click here to view DPHSS MIN REQ 4 SCHOOLS In-Class and IHEs_01.15.21_FINAL

Click here to view 2021-02 Attachments A-C

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