JIC RELEASE NO. 769 - DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-21 - GHS OCD

Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-21, relative to the limitations on social gatherings and congregations, and suspending in-person learning, in accordance with Executive Order No. 2021-21. DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-21 also provides further clarifications on the vaccination requirements for establishments, activities, and organized sports in accordance with Executive Order No. 2021-20.

DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-21 rescinds DPHSS Guidance Memos 2021-19 and 2021-20, and supersedes all previous DPHSS guidance documents that are in effect, in whole or in part, including DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2021-18, which contradict or conflict with Executive Order 2021-21 and this Guidance Memo 2021-21.

Vaccination Requirements
- Covered Establishments shall require individuals, including guests, patrons, performers, employees, volunteers, participants, and coaches who are twelve (12) years plus 1 month of age and older to show proof that they are vaccinated to enter their facilities or premises. Pursuant to Executive Order 2021-20, enforcement of this provision will commence on Monday, September 6, 2021.
- Organizers of contact sporting events must refuse to allow coaches and participants twelve (12) years plus one month of age and older who fail to show proof of vaccination status as provided herein from participating in any contact sports, trainings, or competitions. This does not apply to organized, non-contact sport activities or events.
- Individuals who do not provide proof of vaccination as required may not use indoor or outdoor portions of such facilities except to order, pick up, or pay for food or drink for take-out orders, provided such individual properly wears a face mask.
- Subject to exceptions listed in DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-21, covered Establishments must ensure all employees who routinely work onsite provide proof that they are vaccinated before entering or working in any facility by September 27, 2021.
- Individuals seeking a medical or religious exemption to vaccination shall submit an official request with supporting document(s) to publichealth@dphss.guam.gov, or delivered to Immunization Program of DPHSS, located in Castle Mall, Unit #9, 130 University Drive, Mangilao, Guam 96913, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm., Monday through Friday except recognized Government of Guam holidays. Employee may continue to work while waiting for issuance of DPHSS exemption. Employees who receive medical or religious exemption shall be required to undergo a COVID-19 test once weekly.
Congregations and Social Gatherings
- Congregations and social gatherings shall be limited to no more than ten (10) vaccinated persons for indoor activities, and no more than twenty-five (25) vaccinated persons for outdoor activities. This includes guests, participants, coaches, patrons, performers, volunteers, or employees.
- There shall be no more than ten (10) vaccinated persons per group or table indoors, and no more than twenty-five (25) vaccinated persons per group or table outdoors.
- Each table shall be separated by a minimum of six (6) feet physical distance. When it is difficult to maintain a six (6) feet distance between groups or tables, physical barriers, which separate each group, must be installed. The top horizontal edge height of physical barriers must not be less than the top of the head of the tallest person of the group.
- Organizers of events, such as sporting events, concerts, outreach activities, night markets, fiestas, food truck rallies, and other similar events are responsible for implementing and enforcing the minimum requirements set forth in applicable DPHSS Guidance Memorandum and this document.
- Unvaccinated individuals twelve (12) years plus one month of age and older may not participate in social gatherings with individuals who are not members of their household.
- Children under twelve (12) years and one month of age may attend social gatherings.
- A party/group of individuals numbering 11 or more for indoors, or 26 or more for outdoors, shall not attend or participate in the same event by claiming to be separate party/group to circumvent Executive Order 2021-21 or this Memorandum.
In-Person Learning
- All public and private schools serving pre-kindergarten through 12th grade shall be suspended for in-person instruction and activities, except to conduct activities that support distance learning, such as curb-side pick-up, delivery of materials and documents, use of facilities by students, faculty and staff to facilitate distance learning, and teachers utilizing their classrooms to conduct virtual classes, provided that they adhere to minimum requirements set forth in DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2021-19 (Revision 2) regarding social distancing, wearing of masks, etc, and the requirements in this Memorandum pertaining to congregation and social gatherings.
- All athletics, after-school activities, inter-school activities, and busing shall be suspended.

To view DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-21 in its entirety, CLICK HERE.

For further questions, contact the Division of Environmental Health at 300-9579 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or email, dphss-deh@dphss.guam.gov.

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 Memorandum 2021-21

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. 769 - DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-21