The British are here. KUAM spoke with Guam Police Department Spokesman Paul Tapao to find out how the agency is working to ensure the safety of both the island community and our visitors from the Royal Navy.

"You're gonna see them out in Tumon. You're gonna see DPHSS along with our GPD counterparts are going to be visiting the hotels and ensuring there's an understanding and reminding them that we still have to follow the governor's executive orders," Tapao said.

GPD is working hand in hand with the island's leading agencies and the British Royal Navy to ensure safety and security for Guam residents and the 2,200 sailors while docked.

We usually coordinate too not just with GPD but also with the head officials within the government to include those associated with the Guam Hotel Restaurant Association.

One hundred contractors were flown in to perform maintenance work on the ships. Her Majesty's Ship Queen Elizabeth, HMS Kent, HMS Defender, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary Tide Spring will be in Guam's waters until Sept. 26.

"They're not going to be releasing everyone that's here out and about in Tumon or respectively out and about in town," Tapao said.

He said that the visiting party is fully aware of the COVID mitigation procedures and the measures Guam is taking to deal with the coronavirus.

"We also shared with them some of the aspects of the executive order that's in play, some of the restrictions that are in play with the island," Tapao said.

All members of the Royal British Navy have been vaccinated for COVID. Tapao reminds everyone that Guam has been a long-time welcoming port for all kinds of visitors and that the ships will be an opportunity to gauge how the island can reopen.

"It helps with the economy and it really does show our true Hafa Adai spirit to our visitors alike," he said. "We just want to remind our community out there to please take care of each other, stay safe, and we can get through this."