By Pacific Island Times News Staff
The Joint Region Marianas has updated its public health policy for isolation and close-contact quarantine effective Jan. 25.
Individuals identified as positive for Covid-19 will isolate for a period of
10 days. Vaccinated individuals who are identified as positive may discontinue isolation after at least five days have passed since symptoms appeared and at least 24 hours have passed with no fever and without using fever-reducing medication.
Vaccinated or boosted personnel discontinuing isolation after five days should wear a mask around others at all times for an additional five days.
Individuals identified as close contacts of a Covid-positive case will
quarantine for a period of 10 days, which may be reduced to seven days if a
negative Covid-19 test is obtained five to seven days after starting quarantine.
Those who are fully vaccinated but have not obtained a booster dose will undergo quarantine for a period of five days, provided that they remain
asymptomatic.
Quarantine is not required for asymptomatic close contacts who previously
tested positive for Covid-19 within the past 90 days or were vaccinated and
have received a booster dose, completed their primary dosages of an mRNA
vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) within six months, or completed a primary
vaccination with a Johnson & Johnson vaccine within two months.
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This policy is applicable to all Department of Defense (DoD) active duty
personnel or activated reserve members, DoD civilians, dependents, DoD
contractors holding a DoD-issued Common Access Cards who are permanently or temporarily assigned to units on Guam.
"The health and safety of our communities remain our greatest priority,"
said Joint Region Marianas Commander Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson. "We
continue to monitor the progression of the pandemic and these adjustments to
our health policy will more clearly define our procedures going forward as
we navigate through a widespread increase in number of infections while
maintaining force readiness."
U.S. Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base retain primary
responsibility for the management of declared public health emergencies
onboard their installations.
Joint Region Marianas will continue to take prudent measures to limit the
spread of Covid-19 and will vigorously assess its Covid-19 policies to
ensure it is protecting military personnel and the local community while
maintaining mission readiness. (JRM)
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