GMHA Visitor Policy Changes; Mayors Council Suspends All Village Event

Joint Information Center - JIC Release No. 2 March 15, 2020, 1:15 p.m. (ChST)
The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) continues to work with local and federal partners to address the threat of the virus that causes COVID-19. Currently, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Guam. Guam continues to assess the situation as it evolves. With any change in status, anticipate timely notification.
GMHA Visitor Policy Changes Additional measures are being taken at the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) to protect the health and safety of patients, staff and the public. The emergency department is restricted to patients and staff only. If the admitted patient is a minor, person with a disability or otherwise requires a guardian, one visitor/caregiver will be authorized to accompany the patient. In all other patient care areas, one visitor/caregiver per patient is permitted inside the hospital facility. Viewing for the deceased will be limited to one hour.
GMHA has begun temperature screenings of all visitors/caregivers before entering the hospital. Persons who register temperatures of 100o Fahrenheit or higher will not be allowed entrance. The GMHA strongly encourages any person with temperatures of 100o Fahrenheit or higher to contact their private physicians. If a primary caregiver exceeds acceptable temperatures, an alternate caregiver will need to be identified.
Mayors Council Suspends Events in Accordance with COVID-19 Mitigation Strategy With the Governor’s executive order declaring a public health emergency in mind, the Mayors Council of Guam (MCOG) decided, out of an abundance of caution, to suspend all village-sponsored events and activities until further notice. Although there are no confirmed cases on Guam, the global threat remains high; proactive measures can mitigate community transmission. This decision also includes the suspension of requests for tables, chairs, and canopies. Anyone requesting mayor’s verification or documentation from a mayor’s office should call before going into the office to allow for document preparation and to prevent large crowds and long lines.
“We are committed to the health and safety of our villages, especially our seniors. That’s why all the mayors and vice mayors are in agreement to suspend village events across the board until this COVID-19 situation improves,” said Executive Director Angel Sablan. “We know it’s hard and it’s temporary, but we will follow the Governor’s lead in making sure we encourage social distancing and reduce the likelihood of spreading any infection to protect our communities.”
By close of business Wednesday, March 18:
- Public senior centers will be closed to prevent the congregation of individuals particularly susceptible to complications caused by COVID-19
- Village gyms will remain operational, but events with more than 100 people will be prohibited
Further guidance on social gatherings will be provided on Monday. These temporary suspensions are in line with Governor Leon Guerrero’s initiative to maintain a safe community, as well as the CDC’s community mitigation strategies, which can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community-mitigation-strategy.pdf
For inquiries related to village events, contact your respective village mayor’s office:
AGANA HEIGHTS Paul M. McDonald, Mayor mayor.mcdonald671@gmail.com 472-6393/8285/6
AGAT Kevin Susuico, Mayor agatmayor@yahoo.com Christopher J. Fejeran, Vice Mayor agatvice.chrisfejern@yahoo.com 565-4335
ASAN-MAINA Frankie A. Salas, Mayor asanmainamayor@gmail.com 472-6581 • 479-2726
BARRIGADA June U. Blas, Mayor mayorbarrigada@gmail.com Jessie P. Bautista, Vice Mayor jessie.bautista007@gmail.com 734-3734/36/37 • 734-3859
ORDOT-CHALAN PAGO Jessy C. Gogue, Mayor ocp.mayor@gmail.com 477-7173 • 477-1333 477-0450 Community Center
DEDEDO Melissa B. Savares, Mayor melissa.savares@gmail.com Frank A. Benavente, Vice Mayor frankabenavente17@gmail.com 632-5203/5019 • 637-9014 637-5002 (Gym) 637-1129
HAGATNA John A. Cruz, Mayor hagatnamayor@hotmail.com 477-8045 • 472-6379
INARAJAN Doris F. Lujan, Mayor mayordorisfloreslujan@gmail.com 475-2509/10/11
MANGILAO Allan R.G. Ungacta, Mayor Mayorallan.ungacta@yahoo.com Thomas J. Duenas, Vice Mayor vicemayortomduenas@gmail.com 734-2163/5731
MERIZO Ernest T. Chargualaf, Mayor mayorernestc@yahoo.com 828-8312/2941
MONGMONG-TOTO-MAITE Rudy A. Paco, Mayor Mtmmayorpaco17@gmail.com 477-6758/9090 • 479-6800/6801
PITI Jesse L.G. Alig, Mayor jesse.alig@pitiguam.com 472-1232/3
SANTA RITA Dale E. Alvarez, Mayor daleealvarez@gmail.com 565-2514/4337 • 565-4302/04
SINAJANA Robert RDC Hofmann, Mayor guammayor@gmail.com sinajanamayorsoffice@gmail.com Rudy Iriarte, Vice Mayor rudyiriarte@gmail.com 472-6707 • 477-3323
TALOFOFO Vicente S. Taitague, Mayor talofofomayor@gmail.com 789-1421/3262 • 789-2010 (Gym)
TAMUNING-TUMON Louise C. Rivera, Mayor mayorlcrivera.tatuha@gmail.com Kenneth C. Santos, Vice Mayor vicemayorksantos.tatuha@gmail.com 646-5211/8646 • 647-9816/9819/20
UMATAC Johnny A. Quinata, Mayor umatacmo@gmail.com 828-8251/52/58
YIGO Rudy M. Matanane, Mayor yigomayorsoffice@gmail.com Anthony P. Sanchez, Vice Mayor yigovice@gmail.com 653-5248/9446/9119 633-3001/2/3/5 653-3008 (Gym)
YONA 789-4798/1525/6 789-1524 (Gym)
Stay Up to Date with Reputable Sources It is important to note that the situation can change quickly. The community is reminded to only share official notices and visit the following links for the most up-to-date information:
- CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- DPHSS website: http://dphss.guam.gov/2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-n-cov/
- GHS/OCD website: https://ghs.guam.gov/coronavirus-covid-19
For more information, contact DPHSS Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., at (671) 735-7154.