FORT SILL — For the foreseeable future, all personnel on Fort Sill (service members, Department of the Army civilians, contractors and visitors) must wear a mask covering the nose and mouth when inside any public building or workspace on the post.
Fort Sill has aligned with the local community policy on expanding the wearing of facial covering, in order to maintain operational readiness and to protect the force, families and the entire community.
Officials at the Army post encourage the Lawton-Fort Sill community to continue to take routine steps, consistent with guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Fort Sill has had 269 reported cases of COVID-19 among Soldiers and civilian employees since March 26, Public Information Officer Jessica Tackaberry reported Wednesday. That includes 132 active cases and 137 individuals who have since recovered from the disease.
While implementation of the mask policy has been in place in building 4700 (the Welcome Center), Reynolds Army Health Clinic, the Commissary and the Fort Sill Post Exchange, as well as when 6 feet of social distancing could not be maintained, this policy has been extended to ensure the health and safety of the entire Fort Sill community.
There are a few exceptions to wearing a mask on Fort Sill:
• Outside where and when social distancing can ben maintained.
• While exercising in a physical fitness center when social distancing can be maintained.
• Children under the age of 6.
• Any person with a medical condition or disability documented by a physician that prevents the individual from wearing a mask.
• Any person consuming food or drink.
• Any person who is in a personal office or similar private space while no others are present.
• Any person giving a speech or briefing, who can maintain social distance while speaking.
• When a commander determines its use creates a hazard or safety concern.
• In private homes, barracks rooms or IHG hotel rooms.
These steps are but a few of the efforts that we are being taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19. “We are committed to maintaining and building readiness here at Fort Sill, and in harmony with our Lawton teammates, we too must do our part to reduce the spread of this virus,” said Joe Gallagher, deputy to the commanding general of the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill.