Corrections & Clarifications: This story has been updated to correct the arrival date of the United flight. Other information was provided by government officials.

Guam has three COVID-19 cases.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero announced that two related people who traveled to Guam from Manila on a United Airlines flight tested positive, and one individual with no travel history tested positive.

Officials didn't know the United flight number, but it arrived on the morning of Feb. 29.

"If you were on this flight and have flu-like symptoms, stay home and contact your doctor," she said. "If you traveled from Manila, I urge you to self-quarantine for no less than 14 days."

All three individuals are over the age of 60 and residents of Guam, the governor said Sunday evening during a press conference at Guam Homeland Security. They are currently isolated at Guam Memorial Hospital.

Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services officials are conducting tracing and investigation to determine who the three cases may have come in contact with, and other factors. The United Airlines crew will be notified of the three cases, the governor said.

The three cases were tested Saturday and were kept in isolation at GMH as officials awaited results. The three cases were confirmed at about 4 p.m. Sunday.

"While we must expect more cases, everything that can be done, will be done," Leon Guerrero said. "Although I do not have the authority to ban travel from an FAA facility, I strongly urge everyone to avoid travel to the Philippines and other affected areas."

The governor is meeting with officials of the Guam Department of Education, Guam Community College, University of Guam and private schools to determine how to move forward with classes.

GDOE professional development scheduled for Monday is canceled, but there still will be no classes. All school administrators and employees are required to report to work.

More:A list of terms Guam officials are using related to the new coronavirus

Prevention, social distancing

The governor urged all residents to exercise caution. Residents should avoid large social events, avoid travel, implement social distancing and implement good hygiene, she said.

If you are sick, stay home, and if it worsens, contact your doctor, she said. If a resident does not have insurance, go to the northern or southern Public Health facilities.

And if you're sick, the best preventative measure is to stay home, Leon Guerrero said. Those who that don't have paid sick leave, should talk to their places of work, she said.

"I would suggest that they work it out with their employers," she said. "There is (the Family and Medical Leave Act), ...or they can also share sick leave with other employees. Those are the kind of things that employers need to decide with their employees with the basic understanding that the first priority is to protect our public health."

Coronavirus cancellations

The Chamorro Village Wednesday Night Market and the annual Merizo Crab Festival are among the latest cancellations due to the global coronavirus crisis.

The cancellations come in the wake of Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero's declaration of a public health emergency. President Donald Trump’s issued a national emergency declaration on Saturday for the coronavirus pandemic.

Leon Guerrero ordered senior centers shut down by close of business Wednesday and that social events for 100 people or more be canceled starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

More:Public health emergency declared for Guam, senior centers to close

More:Pay-Less Supermarkets implements limits on cleaning supply purchases

The Chamorro Village Night Market has been suspended until further notice, effective March 18.

"As part of the government of Guam precautionary measures, due to COVID-19 (pandemic), it is in our best interest to protect our merchants, vendors, visitors and our local community. We ask all parties involved for their full cooperation," the Department of CHamoru Affairs stated.

Chamorro Village vendors were feeling the blow, even before the night market was suspended. Vendors relying on the weekly market for its crowd have been left stranded with few customers and an uncertain future as the global coronavirus crisis grows.

The Merizo Crab Festival, scheduled for March 20-22, is suspended as well.

Mayors take steps

With the governor’s public health emergency declaration in mind, the Mayors' Council of Guam decided to suspend all village-sponsored events and activities until further notice.

The council also suspended all requests for tables, chairs and canopies. Anyone requesting mayor’s verification or documentation from a mayor’s office should call before going into the office to allow for document preparation and to prevent large crowds and long lines, according to the Joint Information Center.

“We are committed to the health and safety of our villages, especially our seniors. That’s why all the mayors and vice mayors are in agreement to suspend village events across the board until this COVID-19 situation improves,” said Angel Sablan, executive director of the Mayors' Council of Guam.

“We know it’s hard and it’s temporary, but we will follow the governor’s lead in making sure we encourage social distancing and reduce the likelihood of spreading any infection to protect our communities," he said.

By close of business Wednesday, March 18:

Public senior centers will be closed to prevent the congregation of individuals particularly susceptible to complications caused by COVID-19.

Village gyms will remain operational, but events with more than 100 people will be prohibited.

Further guidance on social gatherings will be provided on Monday, according to the Joint Information Center.

More:Hospitals change visitation policy due to coronavirus

More:Guam DOE considers school closures

GMH visitation policy

Guam Memorial Hospital announced it has amended its visitors policy effective Sunday in light of the public health crisis.

The emergency department is restricted to patients and staff only. If the admitted patient is a minor, person with a disability or otherwise requires a guardian, one visitor/caregiver will be authorized to accompany the patient.

In all other patient care areas, one visitor/caregiver per patient is permitted inside the hospital facility.

Viewing for the deceased will be limited to one hour.

GMH began temperature screenings of all visitors/caregivers before entering the hospital. Persons who register temperatures of 100º Fahrenheit or higher will not be allowed entrance.

GMH strongly encourages any person with temperatures of 100º Fahrenheit or higher to contact their private physicians. If a primary caregiver exceeds acceptable temperatures, an alternate caregiver will need to be identified.

Unemployment benefits bill

As event cancellations rise, tourism declines and businesses are impacted, Vice Speaker Telena Nelson requested an emergency session for her Bill 313, the Unemployment Benefits Act of 2020.

"As our island continues strengthening our response to the threat of COVID-19, we must keep in mind our working families’ ability to sustain themselves in the event of unemployment and during dire circumstances," Nelson said. “While we continue working to safeguard our people’s health and safety, we must also prioritize their livelihoods and ability to continue providing for their families.”

In a letter sent on Sunday to Speaker Tina Muña Barnes, Nelson said the island’s private sector, local businesses and tourism industry have already begun experiencing the effects of the pandemic’s threat.

Should the situation worsen, businesses may reduce employees or non-essential staff, she said.

The Unemployment Benefits Act of 2020, introduced by Nelson on March 10, would create an Unemployment Benefits Fund to provide Guam’s workforce and working families financial assistance in the event of unprecedented unemployment.

The bill proposes that, during disasters or public emergencies, eligible claimants receive $750 to $1,500 per month. Nelson is working with the governor to identify sources of funding.

In its current form, the bill doesn't apply to those with reduced employment or income, according to Nelson's office.

To be eligible for the unemployment benefits proposed in the bill, claimants must:

be employed at least 46 of the last 52 weeks prior to the governor declaring an emergency;

apply within 90 days of release from their employer and submit a letter of release from their previous employer to the Department of Labor;

continue to seek employment and submit proof of their attempts at finding employment to the Department of Labor; and

not be entitled to receive unemployment compensation benefits under any state or federal unemployment compensation laws.

Affected events

The following events have also been postponed due to coronavirus concerns:

Koko Kids Festival: Scheduled for March 22. Postponed indefinitely.

United Guam Marathon: Scheduled for April 5. Rescheduled for Sept. 13.

40th APL Smokin' Wheels: Scheduled April 17-19. Rescheduled for June 12-14.

Guam Micronesian Islands Fair: Scheduled for May 1-3. Postponed indefinitely.

Annual general assembly of the Oceania National Olympic Committee, originally scheduled for April 18 on Guam. The rescheduled meeting could take place in September.

Reporter Anumita Kaur covers military, business and tourism on Guam. Follow her on Twitter @anumitakaur. Reach her at akaur@guampdn.com.