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Concerns about the possibility of spreading COVID–19 through the person-to-person contact has led to suspension of the Census on Guam, which had been underway for little more than two weeks.

This answering machine message at Guam Census Office stated: “As a result of the March 16th COVID–19 special address from the governor of Guam, all field activities for the 2020 Census of Guam, which include the in-person interviews, have been suspended. During this time the Guam Census office will be closed."

Residents can email guam@2020census.gov with questions.

Efforts to contact Census officials on Guam were unsuccessful. It's unclear whether Guam Census office employees are still being paid.

On its website, the U.S. Census Bureau said continues to carefully monitor the coronavirus situation and follow the guidance of federal, state and local health authorities. It's adjusting some operations "with two key principles in mind: protecting the health and safety of our staff and the public and fulfilling our statutory requirement to deliver the 2020 Census counts to the president on schedule."

The website states 5 million have responded online to the 2020 Census and that the planned completion date for data collection is July 31, 2020.

"That date can and will be adjusted if necessary as the situation evolves in order to achieve a complete and accurate count," the website states.

The Census Bureau states people can fill out a questionnaire online, at https://my2020census.gov, which it srtates will take about 10 minutes to complete.

"It's safe, secure, and confidential. Your information and privacy are protected," the website states. "Your response helps to direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for schools, roads, and other public services."