On March 28, the Office of the Governor issued Executive Order No. 2020-07 relative to extending the closure of non-essential businesses and facilities to April 13, establishing a moratorium on evictions, clarifying price gouging prohibitions, and providing for telephonic participation in public meetings. The Order also requires employers who have reduced their workforce through employee terminations, layoffs, furloughs, or reduction in hours to report this data to the Guam Department of Labor.

The US Department of Labor (DOL) issued additional guidance on implementation of the new FFCRA. We urge all employers to thoroughly read the expanded question and answer guidance.

On Friday, March 27, President Trump signed a massive $2 trillion emergency spending bill into law just hours after the House of Representatives passed the measure by a voice vote, and less than 48 hours after it received unanimous approval from the Senate.

The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) tested 40 individuals for COVID-19 on Friday, March 27, 2020 with conclusive results. Four (4) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 36 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2.

Due to the overwhelming volume of applications, the online SBA loan application process is no longer operational and Guam small business can no longer apply for the SBA COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan using the online application. While the SBA is working on getting its online service up and running again, small businesses and non-profits can still apply in three ways.

The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) tested 38 individuals for COVID-19 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 with conclusive results. Eight (8) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 30 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2.

Late Wednesday, March 25, the US Senate voted unanimously (96-0), to advance “Phase Three” of a congressional response to the COVID-19 emergency. The legislation, entitled the "Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act" (the CARES Act), is now headed to the House, which is expected to convene on Friday.

On Tuesday, March 24, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released its first round of guidance - provided in a Fact Sheet for Employees, a Fact Sheet for Employers and a Q&As document (together, the “DOL Guidance”) – addressing some compliance questions related to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) passed last week.

As of Wednesday, March 25, 2020 , the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) tested 37 individuals for COVID-19 with conclusive results. Five tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 32 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2.

Very early morning on March 25 (EST), the President and congressional leaders struck a bipartisan deal on a third bill, officially called the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The unprecedented rescue package, totaling more than $2 trillion, will provide assistance to many stakeholders seriously impacted by COVID-19, including businesses, health care providers, and most Americans.

On March 24, the Governor issued Executive Order No. 2020-06 which, among other measures including the creation of the COVID-19 Unified Response Effort (C.U.R.E.) Action Team, extends the time for some of the social isolation mandates set forth in Executive Order No. 2020-06 to April 13, 2020. This includes an extended closure of non-essential government offices and schools and prohibition on gatherings. The Executive Order also closes public parks and beaches through April 13 except for individual use subject to social distancing mandates.

The Guam Department of Labor is working to submit an application for the Disaster Dislocated Worker grant in an effort to maximize Guam’s eligibility for federal assistance to receive COVID-19 related unemployment benefits. If awarded, the grant could potentially provide eligible participants with both disaster-relief employment and employment and training activities.

Last Thursday, March 19, the Senate GOP introduced a massive stimulus legislation, the third bill, to combat the impact of the coronavirus crisis. The proposed legislation, entitled the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), focuses on providing financial assistance in the billions of dollars for individuals and industries hit hardest by the COVID-19 crisis. Among the many items proposed, the CARES Act would provide direct cash payments of $1,200 to taxpayers, extend the federal tax filing deadline to July 15, liberalize net operating loss rules, and modify interest expense limitations for businesses.

As of Tuesday, March 24, the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) tested 38 individuals for COVID-19 on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 with conclusive results. Three (3) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 35 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2.

The Department of Revenue and Taxation (DRT) announced on March 23 that it would also be extending the due date for income tax payments due April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.

Guam has been added to the list of states and territories in which small business owners are eligible to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to cover substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19. Generally, these loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of COVID-19’s impact.

President Trump signed into law the second piece of legislation in response to the 2019 Coronavirus (“COVID-19”), the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”).

In response to the financial hardship already suffered by individuals and business across the nation, the FDIC has encouraged financial institutions to help meet the needs of those customers and members affected by COVID-19, for example, by waiving fees on late or missed credit card or loan payments or offering low interest or deferred payment loans. Local banks and banks operating on Guam, including Bank of Guam, Coast360 and Bank of Hawaii, have followed suit by taking measures to assist individuals and businesses in this difficult time.

Consistent with other cities and states across the U.S. Mainland, on March 19, the Governor of Guam issued a shelter-in-place order through Executive Order No. 2020-05.