DPHSS Issues Guidance Memo 2021-09, Relative to K-12 Schools
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-09 relative to providing further clarification for schools adopting the three (3) feet social distancing for in-class operations for K-12 Schools (Schools). Schools should continue to abide by all the provisions in DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2021-02, which can be viewed here.
DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-09 details provisions for universal and correct use of face masks and physical distancing. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends middle and high school schools should only utilize three (3) feet social distancing in areas of low, moderate, or substantial community transmission. In areas of high community transmission, middle and high school students should be six (6) feet apart if cohorting is not possible. Under Guam’s current COVID Area Risk (CAR) Score, the island is considered a low or moderate community transmission area. Should Guam’s CAR Score increase significantly, DPHSS may require all schools to revert to six (6) feet social distancing.
School administrators are encouraged to view the following resources alongside DPHSS Guidance Memos to ensure COVID-19 mitigation measures are met in operation:
- Guam K-12 Public and Private School, and IHE Re-opening Plan Template
- High Touch Surface Sanitization/Disinfection Guidance
- List of Other Resources
All In-Class Operating Plans for Schools must be emailed to PCOR3Plans@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 for Schools opting to adopt three (3) feet social distancing for in-class operations for K-12 schools.
DPHSS’ initial approval of all submitted plans will be conditional until receipt of plans and compliance inspection by Division of Environmental Health (DEH). For additional questions, please contact the DEH at 300-9579; 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
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