Governor Lou Leon Guerrero – through social media – announces that the public health emergency will officially end at midnight tonight.
This announcement comes as a surprise, as in the past the Governor made her intentions known that she will end the emergency on Wednesday January 11th – which is in 4 days.
The Governor – in a recorded statement – says that Guam has achieved a level of pandemic readiness and response where the people can be confident that the island can manage the spread and treatment of remaining Covid-19 cases – and any periodic fluctuations in Guam’s case count.
As for how the ending of Health Emergency will affect social programs – Governor Leon Guerrero says that they are looking at ways for them to continue.
“We are working with our federal partners to ensure that measures are in place to continue the provision of the emergency allotment for SNAP households to address the food insecurity experienced by these families. Consistent with the advice of the administering federal agency, I will be issuing a separate emergency declaration for this limited purpose,” says Governor Leon Guerrero.
The Governor adds that the Guardsmen in the Guam National Guard – who are continuing to assist in limited response efforts such as vaccinations, will be activated for the purpose of the separate health emergency – in connection to their territorial duties.
Guam was put into a state of Public Health Emergency back in March 2020 – following the United States lead as a means to slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
