JIC RELEASE NO. 860 - DPHSS Issues Guidance Memorandum 2020-11 REV. 14

DPHSS Issues Guidance Memorandum 2020-11 REV. 14

DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2020-11 Rev.14

Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) issued Guidance Memorandum 2021-11 REV.14, relative to travel guidance in accordance with Executive Order 2021-29. DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-11 REV.14 provides incoming travelers with arrival protocols and quarantine requirements.

Arriving passengers (air or sea) are subject to a 10-day quarantine period at a Government of Guam Quarantine Facility (QFAC), except as provided herein. Government quarantine facilities, and services included therein, are provided at no cost to travelers.

Transiting passengers will remain in a designated section of the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority, Guam (GIAA) while awaiting connecting flights less than 13 hours from landing time to departure time, unless the individual qualifies for exemption from quarantine as provided herein.

Transiting passengers awaiting connecting flights in excess of 13 hours will quarantine at the QFAC until they are transported to the GIAA to transit off Guam, unless the individual qualifies for exemption from quarantine as provided herein. Individuals departing by air or sea during their quarantine period will be permitted to leave the QFAC to transit off Guam if they provide verifiable departure information. Transportation will be provided from the QFAC to the GIAA for those traveling by air. However, transportation for individuals departing by sea will be the responsibility of the vessel agent.

All persons exiting the GIAA are required to complete a Health Declaration form prior to or upon arrival into Guam. Individuals subject to Government of Guam 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.

Arriving passengers (air or sea) qualifying for an exemption from quarantine under this section are subject to the following requirements:

• Individuals must observe social distancing, wear protective face coverings, and practice proper handwashing etiquette;
• Individuals must self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19; and
• Individuals must adhere to any Executive Order currently in place for Guam as it pertains to the Public Health Emergency.

FULLY VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS

Individuals who are fully vaccinated with a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) Approved, or Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) COVID-19 vaccine, or with a World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Listing (EUL) COVID-19 vaccine, may be exempt from quarantine. Travelers having received a combination of accepted US FDA Authorized or EUA COVID-19 vaccines, or WHO EUL COVID-19 vaccines, may be recognized when determining exemption from quarantine. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated after their second dose in a 2-dose series, or after a single-dose vaccine.

Proof of US FDA Approved, EUA, or WHO EUL COVID-19 Vaccination
Individuals presenting immediate proof of vaccination are eligible to be exempt from quarantine at the port of entry. The submission of false written statements and/or documents with intent to mislead constitutes a misdemeanor (9 GCA Chapter 52).

Individuals seeking an exemption from quarantine under this section must present the following documents upon arrival:

• Photo identification (e.g., passport, driver’s license, state-issued identification);
• Primary COVID-19 vaccination record, which includes the patient’s name, date of birth, vaccination date(s), and the brand of COVID-19 vaccine(s) administered; and
• Secondary form of COVID-19 vaccine verification. Note: Individuals vaccinated in Guam, whose vaccination information are verifiable utilizing the WebIZ Application, will not be required to present a secondary form of vaccine verification.

Acceptable secondary form of COVID-19 vaccine verification includes the following:

• Vaccinating health authority record; or
• Vaccinating provider letter; or
• Receipt of COVID-19 vaccine administered; or
• Declaration of Individual Attesting to COVID-19 Vaccination, signed under penalty of perjury; or
• Other form of secondary verification, to be approved at the reviewing officer’s discretion.

Failure to satisfy any of the requirements listed above will result in being subject to quarantine until proof of COVID-19 vaccination is obtained. If proof of COVID-19 vaccination is obtained, the individual will be released from quarantine but must continue to self-monitor.

PRE-ARRIVAL NEGATIVE COVID-19 VIRAL TEST

Passengers who present a negative COVID-19 viral test may be exempt from quarantine. Currently there are two types of viral tests accepted by the DPHSS which detect SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): molecular tests, such as RT-PCR tests, that detect SARS-CoV-2 genetic material, and antigen tests that detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus. These tests identify individuals who are currently infected with SARS-CoV-2. Test results must include patient name, date of birth, specimen collection date, and the type of COVID-19 test performed.

Passengers seeking exemption from quarantine under this section must present the following at the port of entry upon arrival:

• Photo identification (e.g., passport, driver’s license, state-issued identification); and

• Valid negative COVID-19 molecular test result collected no more than 3 days prior to departure (boarding a flight to Guam); or

• Valid negative COVID-19 antigen test result collected no more than 1 day prior to departure (boarding a flight to Guam).

Failure to satisfy any of the requirements listed above will result in being subject to quarantine.The submission of false written statements and/or documents with intent to mislead constitutes a misdemeanor (9 GCA Chapter 52).

To read DPHSS Guidance Memo 2020 in its entirety, CLICK HERE.