EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — Brig. Gen. Scott Cain, the 96th Test Wing commander, directs Health Protection Condition Charlie effective Aug. 16 to combat the increasing spread of COVID-19 across the local communities.
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The increased health protection level means the base stands at a posture of mission-essential operations only. It aims to continue COVID-19 prevention efforts to protect Team Eglin’s people, resources and to preserve mission capability.
During mission-essential operations, personnel (uniformed service members, civil servants, and contractor personnel who have been designated by the appropriate authority to conduct military functions that require their physical presence on the installation) may access the installation for official duties.
Units are highly encouraged to maximize the use of teleworking whenever possible pending mission capabilities. Supervisors must ensure a safe work environment for those who cannot telework and that health protection measures are optimized. Employees should contact their supervision for leave and telework questions.
The HPCON Charlie status changes the Official Business Only posture. Only those conducting official business or are residents of Eglin housing and their guests are permitted to enter the base.
For the purposes of the policy, official business includes military members, retirees and their dependents:
- Seeking medical care at the Military Treatment Facility;
- Shopping at the Commissary, the Base Exchange, or the Shoppette
- Visiting the pharmacy
- Attending religious services
- Receiving childcare services
- Contacting military law enforcement
- Conducting banking transactions
*Using recreation facilities - Providing essential services or supplies to an individual on base (e.g., delivering food or consumer products to quarantined persons or persons unable to obtain these essential supplies and services)
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Authorized persons conducting official business on the installation as described in this policy shall restrict their movements to traveling to and from their authorized destination(s).
Those not identified as mission essential, not residing in Eglin AFB housing, or not authorized limited access will not be allowed to enter Eglin AFB. Unit commanders or equivalent designees may grant exceptions for personnel by completing a Base Access Approval Request Memorandum and submitting it to the 96th Security Forces Squadron, Pass and ID at 96sfs.S5B.pass®@us.af.mil.
All personnel will continue to exercise diligence in personal hygiene and public health risk mitigation measures. These measures include:
- Strict hygiene.
- Regular cleaning of workplace common areas.
- Gatherings are limited to 50 persons.
- Indoor gatherings are limited to the maximum capacity of a space while providing six feet of physical distancing.
- Wear masks IAW current DoD/96th Test Wing guidance. When a government vehicle has more than one occupant, all personnel must wear a face mask regardless of their vaccination status.
- Physical distancing – maintaining at least a six-foot distance between individuals.
- Stay at home when experiencing symptoms or illness, notify your supervision, and contact your primary care manager.
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“Continued vigilance in combatting the rapid spread of this virus and its variants is essential,” said Cain. “Please continue to do your best to keep Eglin a place where the virus doesn’t spread.”
For more information, visit the Eglin website and the Eglin AFB Facebook page for the latest updates on hours of operation and closures.
