The Defense Department and Fort Sill imposed strict limitations last week on access and travel in an effort to limit the potential spread of the novel coronavirus.
Fort Sill had no confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Saturday, but seven of the post’s soldiers remained quarantined “for a few more days” as a preventative measure, according to the Army post’s Public Affairs Office.
Domestic travel restrictions for all DoD military and civilian personnel and their families assigned to DoD organizations were implemented Friday.
Effective March 16 and continuing through May 11, all DoD military personal, DoD civilians, and their families will stop movement. In addition, DoD civilian personnel and DoD family members whose transportation is government-funded will also stop movement. This policy applies to permanent change of station and temporary duty.
Service members at Fort Sill will be authorized local leave only.
A travel exception may by granted for compelling situations, such as 1) mission-essential, 2) humanitarian reasons, or 3) extreme hardship.
Travel by patients and medical providers for the purpose of medical treatment for DoD personnel and their family members is authorized to ensure they receive adequate critical care. Individuals who are pending retirement or separation are exempt from this current policy due to their situations. Additionally, individuals who have already initiated travel (including intermediate stops) are authorized to continue to their final destination.
Also beginning March 16, Fort Sill will suspend guest attendance at graduation ceremonies “until further notice, to prevent any potential spread of COVID-19 to either service members, Department of the Army civilians, families, and the entire Lawton-Fort Sill community,” the post announced.
Graduations will continue, and select graduations will be live-streamed on Army online platforms, “including our official Facebook page - US Army Fort Sill, the 434th Field Artillery Brigade (Basic Combat Training), 428th Field Artillery Brigade, and 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade sites accordingly.” Units will publish schedules for live-streaming through normal communication channels.
“Also as of 16 March 2020, no privately owned vehicle travel with family members will be allowed after the graduations. Graduates will travel only by government-issued ticket to their Advanced Individual Training location.
Soldiers impacted by the changes “are being authorized to call home to directly inform their families.” After completion of Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training, Soldiers will report directly to their follow-on assignments. “Guest access to those locations will be at the discretion of those commands. We cannot speak on behalf of the commands they will be reporting to regarding their leave policy at this time.” Families are encouraged to contact their Soldiers following graduation for details.
In addition, service members and family members arriving from or returning from high-risk areas will be placed under a 14-day self-quarantine, either at home or in barracks, “to monitor their health and ensure they are clear of any symptoms,” according to a Fort Sill press release. The same procedures apply to foreign military students arriving at Fort Sill.
“The post continues to conduct initial screenings during Basic Combat Training before trainees begin their in-processing period. They will be questioned about recent visits to locations where the coronavirus has been discovered in large numbers, such as China, South Korea and Italy. If recruits have been in contact with anyone who had the virus, and/or if they have had any of the symptoms, the command will act appropriately to protect the health of the unit and maintain operational training readiness.”
“ In an abundance of caution,” Fort Sill is taking precautionary steps in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Army Medical Command to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Public Affairs Office reported. “We understand these changes disrupt the plans many people have made, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Our understanding of COVID-19 is rapidly evolving and this guidance will be continuously evaluated as conditions warrant. This action ensures the health and welfare of our Soldiers, DoD Civilians, family members, and the Lawton-Fort Sill community.