With her Recovery Panel of Advisors, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero unveiled Chalan Para Hinemlo' at today's COVID-19 briefing. The recovery plan is based on Pandemic Condition of Readiness phases - four of which rely on triggers to move from one to another. The governor signed Executive Order 2020-11 enacting the extension of her emergency declaration and instituting the recovery plan among other things.

"Our plan will open Guam's economy gradually in order to mitigate the risk of resurgence and protect our most...vulnerable populations," Gov. Leon Guerrero said.

Guam remains in PCOR 1, which includes the strictest measures to prevent the rapid spread of COVID-19. That includes the closure and prohibition of non-essential activities, quarantining of inbound travelers and actions meant to deter people from engaging in non-essential activities.

The governor is eyeing to move into PCOR 2 on May 9, a level with moderate restrictions that could have certain non-essential businesses open up.

"We would all still be required to wear face masks and practice strict social distancing, but we can begin to reopen some non-essential government operations and businesses like retail stores with an emphasis in ensuring processes and procedures are adjusted based on public health guidance," she said.

To move into PCOR 2, the governor said we must have two weeks of consistent decline in the number of COVID-19 positives, we must have an adequate hospital capability to treat new cases as they arise, we must have the capacity to test people with COVID-19 symptoms and we must have the ability to contact trace efficiently and effectively.

The governor is considering data beginning on April 25 to consider moving Guam into PCOR 2.

"I want to reiterate that May 9 is a goal, not an absolute certainty," she said. " We will not rush to meet fixed deadlines. Instead, my decisions will be based on evidence and our ability to manage the threat of COVID-19. Anything else will jeopardize human life and risk an even longer period of recovery."

The governor has asked the business community to begin preparing for the possible May 9 move.

To move from PCOR 2 to PCOR 3 includes having rapid testing for residents and travelers to Guam. Guam must also maintain the downward trend of cases for 28 days after the PCOR 2 designation. The details for PCOR 3's minimal restrictions will be released at a later time, but more businesses and government operations will open.

Restrictions will no longer be necessary in PCOR 4, a phase related to immunity, Dr. Felix Cabera said. To move into that phase requires that an FDA vaccine has been developed or there's confirmation that herd immunity has developed via natural disease and recovery to prevent another outbreak.

"The reality is that it may take months for this to happen," he said. "We may continue to live in a PCOR 2 or PCOR 3 environment until this trigger can be achieved."