Guam Moves to PCOR 3
Update:
On August 7, 2020, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order No. 2020-26 relative to the implementation of additional safety measures and issuance of temporary teaching certifications during the public health emergency. Executive Order No. 2020-26 mandates:
- The temporary closure of bars and taverns. Effective 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2020 through 6:00 p.m., Saturday, August 22, 2020 – or unless modified by a further Executive Order upon the recommendation from the Department of Public Health and Social Service (DPHSS).
- Limitations on wake and funeral services. Effective at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2020, funeral and wake services will be limited in operation by applicable Public Health Guidance. Such Guidance will include a prohibition on wake services in private residences, occupancy limitations for facilities hosting funerals or wakes, and a prohibition on food service at funerals and wakes.
- Occupancy Limit. Any place of business, place of worship, or public accommodation may continue operations as permitted under applicable DPHSS Guidance, provided such establishment operates at no greater than fifty percent (50%) seating capacity or up to ten (10) people, whichever is greater. In no instance may a business, place of worship or public accommodation operate at an occupancy that is greater than its regular occupancy limit.
- Mandatory Social Distancing. All permissible activities shall be conducted utilizing mitigation measures, including, but not limited to, social distancing and posting of appropriate signage; frequent cleaning of all surfaces, mandating the wearing of masks unless engaged in physical exercise or eating; and permitting or encouraging teleworking. All permissible activities are further subject to applicable DPHSS Guidance. Older residents and those with pre-existing medical conditions are encouraged to limit excursions of any kind.
- Gatherings or Congregations. A “congregation” or “social gathering” is a meeting for a common or singular purpose of more than one (1) person where the individuals are not members of a single household unit. Effective at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2020, gatherings and congregations, including, but not limited to, gatherings outdoors or in private accommodations, shall be limited to no more than twenty-five (25) persons.
- Additional Caution Against Unnecessary Activity and Off-island Travel. Guam residents are encouraged to exercise caution when engaging in non-essential activities and discouraged from unnecessary travel off-island to any destination.
- Temporarily Suspending The PRAXIS-1 Examination Requirement in 5A GAR Ch. 8 § 8105(a)(1). The requirement in 5A GAR Ch. 8 § 8105(a)(l) that applicants for temporary teaching certificates present evidence of a passing score on the PRAXIS-1 examination in order to meet the minimum requirements for issuance of such certificate is suspended for Guam Department of Education (“GDOE”) school year 2020-2021. The GCEC may issue a temporary teaching certificate to new applicants who present evidence of completion of a bachelor’s degree. The length of certification for the temporary teaching certificate issued under this Section shall be one (l) year, and shall expire at the end date for GDOE school year 2020-2021. In addition to the requirements of 5A GAR Ch. 8 § 8105(a)(3), applicants receiving a temporary teaching certificate under this Section shall be required to complete the PRAXIS-1 examination in order to receive a renewal following the GDOE school year 2020-202l. Applicants receiving a temporary teacher certificate for school year 2020-202l under this Section will be eligible for renewal two (2) times, subject to fulfillment of the requirements of 5A GAR Ch. 8 § 8l05(a)(3).
- Prior Executive Orders remain in effect and in full force, except to the extent they conflict with Executive Order No. 2020-26.
Individuals and businesses who refuse to comply with Executive Order No. 2020-26 may be subject to fines and/or, in the case of businesses, the termination of business licenses, as well as any other penalties as may be available under Guam law. DPHSS and the Department of Revenue and Taxation shall enforce executive orders and, if necessary, may do so with the assistance of the Guam Police Department and the Guam Fire Department.
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 20.0807 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2020-26 – Relative to Implementation of Additional Safety Measures and Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certifications During the Public Health Emergency
Governor Signs Executive Order 2020-24
On July 19, 2020, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order (EO) 2020-24. Under EO 2020-24, the public health emergency has been extended until August 29, 2020.
Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2020, Guam was placed in Pandemic Condition of Readiness (PCOR) 3. Under PCOR 3, most activities are permitted to operate under moderate restrictions. Prior to reopening, businesses must submit their reopening plan to the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS). Reopening plans must be emailed to PCOR3Plans@dphss.guam.gov.
Effective at 8 a.m. today, July 20, 2020, social gatherings, including but not limited to, gatherings outdoors or in private accomodations, are limited to no more than fifty (50) persons, regardless of whether the individuals are of a single household unit.
Public and private schools not already operating under the pilot program permitted in Executive Order No. 2020-20, are permitted to open under Minimum Requirements for Re-Opening K-12 School and Institutions of Higher Learning as set forth in DPHSS Memo 2020-27, or any other applicable DPHSS Guidance.
The authorization first granted to DPHSS to develop temporary guidance for the importation, distribution, and sale of specific COVID-19 related commodities is extended and shall remain in effect for the duration of the current public health emergency, or any extension thereof. Any COVID-19 relative commodities not processed in accordance with DPHSS adopted guidance since the expiration of Executive Order No. 2020-19 may begin to be processed again upon the effective date of this Order.
Continue to Practice Caution
Although Guam is in PCOR3, it is important for the community to continue to take precautionary measures to slow the possible spread of COVID-19. In accordance with EO 2020-16, social distancing of 6 ft. or more and the use of face masks is required unless engaged in physical exercise or eating.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The community is reminded to continue to take the following precautions:
- Maintain a distance of 6 feet between yourself and others
- Wear facial coverings around others and in public establishments
- Adhere to respective business protocols in place for protection from COVID-19
- Practice good hygiene frequently. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Frequently clean and disinfect high contact areas
- Avoid touching your face with unclean hands
- Stay home if you are sick
Triggers to Inform Decision to Move from PCOR2 to PCOR3
- Cases: Downward trend of confirmed cases and a downward trend of positive tests as a percent of total tests over a 28-day period, utilizing a 5-day rolling average starting from when PCOR 2 delcared; and
- Hospitalization: Guam hospitals continue to be able to treat all inpatients without resorting to alternate standards of care due to COVID-19 cases; and
- Testing: Guam continues to have the capacity to test all people with COVID-19 symptoms AND the availability and affordability of rapid and reliable testing of travelers as it relates to quarantine requirements.
- Contact Tracing: The DPHSS continues to have the capacity to conduct adequate monitoring of all COVID-19 cases and tracings of their contacts.
Risk-Based Quarantine and Testing Protocol for Travelers Entering Guam
Additional News:
Friday, July 17th 2020, 3:12 PM ChST
By KUAM News
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero announced today the island will go into Pandemic Condition of Readiness, or PCOR 3 at midnight July 20.
This means all businesses will be allowed to operate except senior citizens centers and organized sports leagues, tournaments and events subject to all previously issued minimum requirements. Those businesses must submit a plan to the Department of Public Health and Social Services before reopening.
Also, the social gathering limit will be increased from 25 to 50 applicable to outdoor gatherings, the governor said. Schools also will be allowed to reopen with guidance during PCOR 3. And schools also will be allowed to reopen.
In line with PCOR 3, new travel restrictions also will take effect after midnight, July 24. The restrictions focus on low-risk areas, eliminating the need for testing and quarantine for those who are on island for less than 5 days.
While the change could benefit potential tourists, Dr. Felix Cabrera said it also benefits those coming to the island on business as well as those traveling from the CNMI for medical reasons.
Those coming from high-risk areas without a negative PCR test five days before arrival will still need to be quarantined at a government facility. Those who did have the test will still have to undergo home quarantine. By day seven, both will be able to undergo a PCR test for possible early release while still complying with 14 day symptom monitoring and tracking.
PCOR-3 by Monday
By Kevin Kerrigan -July 17, 2020
Following a week’s worth of low to no positive cases of COVID-19, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero this afternoon took the first step towards re-opening the island to tourists by loosening quarantine restrictions by next Friday and declaring PCOR-3 at midnight Monday.
“After consulting with my Physicians Advisory Group and the State Surgeon Cell, I am declaring that Guam will be in Pandemic Condition of Readiness 3 effective midnight, Monday, July 20,” the governor said.
What that means is that all businesses will be allowed to operate with the exception of senior citizen centers and organized sports leagues, tournaments, and events.
PCOR 3 also allows all schools to re-open, from kindergarten to 12th grade along with UOG and GCC.
However, all schools and businesses must submit a reopening plan to Public Health.
In addition to reopening more businesses, the governor said that the social gatherings limit will be increased from 25 to 50 people applicable to outdoor gatherings.
The governor also announced the loosening of the quarantine restrictions effective next week Friday, July 24.
The change cracks the door open for tourists who will be allowed to stay for up to 5 days without showing proof of a negative test for COVID.
Dr. Felix Cabrera, of the governor’s physician advisory group, said the 5-day stay would apply to visitors from low-risk countries South Korea, Japan Taiwan, the FSM, the CNMI, and Palau.
“If your stay is less than 5 nights, then at this point here you won’t require any testing coming into Guam. And then while you’re in Guam, you will not be required to quarantine or test any further,” Cabrera said.
If you stay longer than 5 days, then you’ll have to take a PCR test. If the test is negative, there’s no quarantine but if the test is positive there will be a 14-day quarantine.
Quarantine will also be loosened for returning island residents.
“Are you originating from a low-risk area? If you’re not from that area, then you will be required to have a negative PCR test 5 days prior to arrival. This differs from the last protocol where we were requiring 72 hours. So this hopefully will be easier for travelers. If you do not have this test done and the results, then you will be quarantined at a government facility. If you do have this test and it’s negative then you will be allowed to quarantine at home,” Cabrera said.
The Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) issued the following statement on the Governor’s PCOR-3 announcement: “With more residents feeling comfortable patronizing local businesses and restaurants today, the Guam Visitors Bureau is encouraged by Governor Lou Leon Guerrero’s decision to move into Pandemic Condition of Readiness 3 on July 20, 2020. The safety measures that businesses, hotels, and restaurants have implemented continue to uphold Guam’s social distancing guidelines and protocols. Our community understands the importance of supporting these measures for the benefit of us all. We are energized to continue working with the Governor, Lt. Governor, our legislators, and our industry stakeholders to keep everyone’s safety as our top priority as we begin the hard process to rebuild our economy,” said GVB Vice President Dr. Gerry Perez.
Gov. Leon Guerrero: No organized sports in PCOR 3; interscholastic sports on hold
- Daily Post Staff
- Jul 17, 2020 Updated
During a news conference July 17, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero declared Guam will move into Pandemic Condition of Readiness 3 at 12 a.m., July 20. PCOR3 will allow all businesses to reopen with conditions and restrictions from previous executive orders in effect.
With public schools set to reopen Aug. 12, interscholastic sports has not been given the go-ahead.
“As far as interscholastic sports if it means organized events it is not yet at this point lifted,” Leon Guerrero said. “And, again, the basis for that is congregate gathering.
“That’s what DOE (Guam Department of Education) also is agreeing to, that they will not be doing interscholastic sports, organized interscholastic sports at this time.”
GDOE Interscholastic Sports Association, the organization tasked with managing public school sports, is aware of the governor’s decision and anticipates it will meet with its Board of Control to discuss the ruling.
“I have not met with our board yet on the announcement,” said GDOA ISA acting sports coordinator Al Garrido, adding, “we are all anxious to start and we are ready for whenever that determination is made.”
We have not started practice yet, he added.
As Guam’s number of active COVID-19 cases remain at 86, and five deaths, Guam’s economy has been slow to come back online, and organized sports will have to wait.
“Under PCOR 3, all businesses will be allowed to operate with the exception of senior citizen centers and organized sports leagues, tournaments and events, subject to all previously issued minimum requirements,” Leon Guerrero said.
As the GDOE ISA and the Independent Interscholastic Athletic Association of Guam continue to create schedules for School Year 2020-2021, GDOE ISA continuing with a four-quarter calendar and IIAAG having unveiling its new trimester system, it appears that the two organizations will have more time to figure out inter-league competition.
On reopening Guam, “we have always said, in the very beginning will be slow, gradual, and deliberate,” Leon Guerrero said. “Every decision we have made so far is based on data we have, our ability to manage, and respond to the threat of COVID-19.”
We have made some really good progress since the public health emergency was declared on March 14th (and) I am confident in the measured approach we are taking (and) the direction our island is heading, she said.
In PCOR 3, gatherings no greater than 50 people will be allowed. Depending on adjustments made to ISA and IIAAG calendars, opportunity may exist for competition on a limited scale but first GovGuam must deliver revised orders.
I am sure that the school management and superintendent will look carefully at all the details and decide accordingly based first on the safety of our athletes and coaches, Garrido said.
“All ISA operations are aligned with GDOEs goals, and we want to be more deliberate as we consider all the factors when making these decisions,” he added.
This is a developing story.
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