FORT SILL – The commanding general at Fort Sill decided last Thursday to extend the Health and Safety Stand Down through April 21.
The order “allows us to continue to evaluate preventive measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 on Fort Sill and the Lawton-Fort Sill community,” said Maj. Gen. Kenneth Kamper.
In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Sill mandates wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing measures may be difficult to maintain.
Facial coverings for Soldiers must be neutral in color, non-offensive, and made from safe materials. “We discourage the use of old Army Combat Uniforms to make facial coverings due to the chemicals in the fabric,” said Col. Don King, the garrison commander. Costume masks are prohibited, he said.
The Fort Sill Commissary and Post Exchange (PX) will require all patrons to wear facial coverings while in the facility. “Your protective actions are critical to our effort to control and flatten the curve,” Colonel King said.
All Fort Sill service members and Department of the Army civilians will remain under General Order #1.
General Order #1 became effective March 30 and applies to all service members and DA civilians assigned to Fort Sill. It outlines safety measures to help flatten the curve of COVID-19 and synchronize with Lawton’s efforts. The only authorized exceptions to travel are mission essential functions or to obtain emergency medical care during curfew hours (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.)
“We continue to encourage everyone to adhere to the principles of social distancing and good personal hygiene,” Kamper and King said. “We continue to minimize our workforce through telework and limiting unnecessary movement to only essential travel,” Kamper added.