JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Team JBER,
The Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Installation Commander has declared a Public Health Emergency, and directed Health Protection Condition (HPCON) to CHARLIE effective immediately and for the foreseeable future. HPCON CHARLIE is defined as an elevated risk of sustained community transmission. The state of Alaska currently reports a total of 32 confirmed cases.
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has identified 7 people who tested positive for COVID-19 at JBER's testing center. All 7 individuals have been isolated, and are following all CDC and DHHS isolation protocols under the supervision of 673 MDG Public Health Office. Four individuals are identified as active duty personnel; one Reservist; one civilian employee; and one retiree. Five of Seven individuals reside off-base.
The 673 MDG is working with affected chains of command and is working to establish contact tracing.
The installation's top priority is preservation of force and mission while we work to protect the health, safety and welfare of our community. In order to achieve this, the Installation Commander has directed:
- Mission-Essential Personnel Reporting Only--contact your unit chain of command to determine your status and work requirements
- Stop Movement on the Installation--limited to mission essential travel only*
- Suspension of Trusted Travel Program; Closure of Government Hill Gate, and Post Road Gate closed to private auto traffic; Arctic Valley Gate closed on weekends; Richardson VCC closed--expect potential curtailments and closures
- Further reduction of garrison and tenant services--we are working to find ways to provide virtual services as much as possible
- Commissary and AAFES resources will remain available with current mitigating efforts in place
- CDCs will remain open for currently enrolled children but limited to on-duty mission essential members that are mil to mil, single military and CDC employees. Currently enrolled children with extenuating circumstance need to contact their CDC Director.
*Mission essential travel means remaining at home except to leave for work in critical jobs as prescribed by unit chains of command; to buy groceries or other important goods; to receive or provide health care; to drop off or pick up children from care; and to get fresh air while observing 6-foot social distancing between non-family members. Individuals are also encouraged to practice recommended personal and environmental hygiene, including regular hand washing.
The Installation Commander and 673d Medical Group Commander will host a Facebook live virtual town hall tomorrow 23 March at 1400 to provide updates on the situation, and field questions from the community.