Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

** Video: Defense Leaders Brief on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution (U.S. Defense News) **

The Department of Defense (DoD) is implementing Force Health Protection actions. These actions are necessary to ensure mission readiness for our forces and their families.

We encourage all DoD personnel to follow the Force Health Protection guidance and supplements as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.

The primary goal of DoD is to preserve the ability of our servicemen and women to provide for national defense and current worldwide military missions.

This is a dynamic situation and DoD will adapt to the situation to ensure that we can accomplish our assigned missions.

Please continue to monitor this page for more information

For the latest information on the DoD response to the COVID-19 Outbreak, to include the latest instructions for face coverings, please click here.

HQ USINDOPACOM has moved to Health Protection Condition to HPCON Bravo (B)

The Secretary of Defense signed a memo to transition to a conditions-based phased approach to personnel movement and travel restrictions. While the COVID-19 pandemic still presents risk to DOD Service members, their families, and our civilian workforce, improving conditions warrant a transition in our approach to domestic and overseas personnel travel to a conditions-based, phased approach to personnel movement and travel.

HQ USINDOPACOM and USINDOPACOM facilities COVID-19 health protection protocols and procedures remain unchanged. They include:

Vulnerable personnel (e.g., elderly, personnel with underlying health conditions, respiratory diseases, immunocompromised, etc.) will continue to shelter in place and telework.
HQ INDOPACOM personnel who live with vulnerable individuals should telework to maximum extent possible and take precautions to isolate themselves from vulnerable individuals. Returning to work should be based on medical guidelines.
Practice social distancing (two arms' length). Wear face masks when unable to maintain six-foot personal distance. Call in and stay home if sick.
Maintain personal hygiene practices by washing hands regularly and disinfecting workspaces daily.
Continue to limit meeting sizes, maximize use of virtual conferencing.
Continue to limit building visitors to critical or mission-essential activities.
Continue cleaning of frequently-touched areas and public bathrooms.
Continue JDIR end-of-week full cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
Continue Monday - Friday supervisor checks and muster reporting.
Maintain readiness for implementation of rapid-disinfection process.
Adhere to local government policy.

The Secretary of Defense memo can be found here and an accompanying fact sheet can be found here.

USINDOPACOM will continue to enforce strict hygiene procedures and implement home quarantine/isolation procedures as required. The Command's top priority is to preserve the ability of our servicemen and women to provide for national defense and current worldwide military missions. The bottom line, we must Protect our People and Preserve Readiness.

As a reminder, if you are feeling ill with fever, cough, or shortness of breath, please contact your medical provider or the TRICARE Nurse Advise Line at 800-874-2273.

For more information on COVID-19, online resources are provided below.

FAQ on Elective Surgical, Invasive, and Dental Procedures in Military Treatment Facilities as of 24 March 2020 (link):

FAQ on Travel Restriction as of 18 March 2020 (pdf):

The President's Coronavirus Guidelines for American: 15-Day to Slow the Spread of Coronavirus (March 17)

Whitehouse.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance

Coronavirus.gov

Statement by the Department of Defense on Domestic Travel Restrictions as of 13 March 2020. New travel restrictions for service members, DoD civilians, and their families assigned to DoD installations, facilities and surrounding areas within the Unites States and its territories. This restriction will halt all domestic travel, including Permanent Change of Station, and Temporary Duty. Service members will be authorized local leave only, following Service guidelines. This new guidance is effective March 16 and continues through May 11.

SECDEF Travel Restrictions Memorandum as of 11 March 2020 applies to all forms of official travel, including PCS, TDY, and Government-funded leave. It also applies to DoD uniformed personnel on personal leave and other non-official travel. For up-to-date information on CDC Travel Health Notices Level 3 (COVID-19) designated locations, visit https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices. Updated, country-specific travel information can also be found at https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/fcg.cfm

Travel Advisories

CDC Travel Advisories For current information on travel advisories, visit the resources below:

CDC Travel Advisories: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices

State Department Travel Advisories: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-information.html

Prevention

To prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.