Packages available for US citizens, green card holders, and non-US citizens seeking vaccine shots
Guam has officially launched the island's vaccination tourism, with nearly a dozen Tumon hotels participating in the Air V&V program that offers tour packages.
“This program captures a unique demographic of travelers around the world that are tired of waiting to get vaccinated in this pandemic," said Carl Gutierrez, president of the Guam Visitors Bureau.
" This will give a shot in the arm to our tourism industry through this unique and valuable service, offering more opportunities to put our people back to work and get our economy roaring again," he added.
The program is offered to American citizens living in foreign countries, green card holders and non-U.S. citizens.
As of this week, Guam has the remaining 66,400 doses of the total 233,450 vaccine allotments.
Gutierrez said the program is projected to draw 30,000 visitors through December.
In a press conference earlier, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said the program will be based on supply.
"Of course, our priority for our vaccine supply is our community. That's why we’re doing an aggressive campaign,” said Leon Guerrero.
Participating hotels include Dusit Thani Guam Resort, Grand Plaza Hotel, Guam Reef Hotel, Hotel Nikko Guam, Hyatt Regency Guam, LeoPalace Resort, Lotte Hotel, Pacific Islands Club, Royal Orchid Hotel, and the Tsubaki Tower.
Leon Guerrero and the Department of Public Health and Social Services officially approved the GVB-led program today, Gutierrez said.
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GVB said the program was conceptualized in collaboration with the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association, Physicians Advisory Group and its chairman Dr. Hoa Nguyen, Col. Mike Cruz and the Guam Surgeon Cell.
Prior to arrival in Guam, program travelers must book their package with one of the participating hotels. The hotel will assist in scheduling the vaccination and PCR appointments for Air V&V participants.
All international travelers are required to provide a negative PCR test before boarding their flight to Guam. Upon arrival, participants of the Air V&V program will receive a Covid-19 test to ensure they are able to receive the vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson) the following day from the comfort of their hotel room. If they choose Moderna or Pfizer, their second dose will be scheduled.
While in Guam, they must undergo a seven-day quarantine at a self-paid facility upon arrival to Guam.
They would have the option to take a PRC test on Day 6 of quarantine and if they test negative for Covid-19, they will be released. It is also required they register with Sara Alert for monitoring up to 14 days, and download the Guam Covid Alert App.
As part of the program, they will also get a PCR test no more than 72 hours prior to departure. Participants will depart Guam with their vaccination record card and vaccination health authority record.
In collaboration with Guam’s medical community, travel trade, and hotel partners, all-in-one packages have been developed to offer interested travelers. The travel packages include transportation to and from the airport, three Covid-19 tests, the administration of two doses of the vaccine, health monitoring, and digital vaccination records.
The Air V&V Program was developed by the Guam Visitors Bureau to encourage those 12 years and older to get a Covid-19 vaccine while vacationing in Guam. Participants can choose from travel and tour packages that were developed in collaboration with Guam’s travel trade, hotel, and tourism partners.
This program was designed to jumpstart Guam’s tourism industry, which has been on pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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