DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2020-11 Rev8
DPHSS issued Guidance Memo 2020-11 Rev8 relative to further clarifying 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, 2020-31, 2020-32, 2020-33, 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.
Based on Executive Order No. 2020-33, travelers to and individuals already in Guam, including residents and non-residents, may be subject to quarantine and isolation pursuant to the laws of Guam.
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 personal residence or rental lodging.
Individuals permitted to quarantine at their personal residence or rental lodging location must meet criteria as contained in this Guidance document – in these instances, individuals must be tested for COVID-19 and receive a negative test result collected within 5 days of arrival to Guam. The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) will accept two types of diagnostic tests which detect the virus – molecular tests, such as RT-PCR tests, which detect the virus genetic material, and antigen tests, which detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus. These tests help to identify whether people 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 be quarantined 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 requested to voluntarily comply with the Government of Guam quarantine requirements and indicate their willingness by signing a Voluntary Quarantine Acknowledgement form. Persons who choose not to sign or do not agree to voluntarily comply with quarantine will be subject to Involuntary Quarantine and issued a Directive for Temporary Quarantine. Individuals involuntarily quarantined will also be issued a copy of the 10 GCA Chapter 19 Article 6 and Definitions and notified of their right to legal representation.
Costs associated with the quarantine and/or treatment for persons who are subject to quarantine upon 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 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines, which may extend the quarantine period beyond 14 days.
DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-11 Rev8 can be viewed in its entirety at dphss.guam.gov/covid-19.
For questions or concerns regarding DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020-11 Rev8, please email dphss_quarantine@dphss.guam.gov.
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