Current as of November 24, 2021

90th Medical Group Monthly Newsletter November 2021

SPECIAL NOTE: 

F.E. Warren AFB units and organizations will implement Health Protection Condition Alpha (HPCON A). With mandatory vaccination of our military and civilian workforce, as well as a lower rate of daily infections on base the installation commander is reducing the installation’s HPCON to Alpha. 

The following are some of the changes and significant requirements: 1. Mask wear in DoD facilities remains mandatory per DoD guidance. The mask requirements do not apply to on-base government residents (privatized housing, dorms, and personal campers/tents). 2. Mask wear is NOT mandatory off base for VACCINATED service members. 3. Service members who are NOT FULLY VACCINATED will continue to wear masks and physically distance both on and off the installation. 

COVID-19 vaccination remains the most effective means to achieve control of the pandemic to include obtaining the booster vaccine at the appropriate time. Booster shots are available both on and off-base for members who are 6-months past their second dose of the vaccine. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html

Updates (more details in sections below and to the right):

LOCAL AREA RESTRICTIONS

All F. E. Warren AFB personnel will comply with the following:

• All uniformed service members, federal employees, onsite contractor employees, and visitors will comply with military, federal, state, local, and CDC COVID-19 directives, guidelines, and health protection measures while on F. E. Warren AFB and its attached DoD facilities.  In areas of substantial or high community transmission of COVID-19 (F. E. Warren AFB and the local community are considered high community transmission), DoD requires all uniformed Service members, Federal employees, contractors, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask in an indoor setting in installation and other facilities owned, leased or otherwise controlled by DoD.
  • These requirements do not apply to a member’s on-base government residence, e.g. privatized housing, dorm rooms, and personal campers/tents. The resident will determine mask wear of visitors to their residence.
  • When only one person is in a room, the mask mandate does not apply.
  • Uniformed Service members, Federal employees, contractors, and visitors who are not fully vaccinated, in addition to mask wear, must continue to physically distance.
  • When/if the community transmission rate for F. E. Warren AFB and the local area is below substantial or high, personnel will be notified of any adjustments to mask wear by the unit commander and/or through a change to this FRAGORD.
• The CDC requires all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask on public conveyances (e.g., planes, water transport, buses, trains, taxis, ride-shares) traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. This requirement is extended to DoD transportation assets (including Government vehicles) and hubs, including those outside the United States, excluding ships, submarines, and aircraft in their operational environment.
  • When only one person is in a government vehicle, the mask mandate does not apply.
• All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask in correctional facilities and health care settings, including DoD military medical, dental, and veterinary treatment facilities, in accordance with CDC guidelines.
• All uniformed Service members, Federal employees, contractors, family members, and visitors should maintain protective actions to include, but not limited to, routine cleaning, and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces, disciplined personal hygiene to include hand washing, using hand sanitizer, and avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth. Personnel should stay home and avoid contact with others when ill, cover coughs and sneezes, avoid sick persons, and ensure immunizations are up to date.
• All personnel, especially those not vaccinated, must remain aware that off-duty actions and activities can have profound negative and long-term mission impacts through the spread of COVID-19 to teammates, families, and members of the public.
  • The CDC recommends avoiding crowded, poorly ventilated spaces for gatherings. They recommend outdoor versus indoor gatherings and they recommend wearing a mask indoors regardless of vaccination status due to the Delta variant, which is currently driving the pandemic surges (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/index.html).

 UNVACCINATED PERSONNEL

• COVID-19 Unvaccinated (Not fully vaccinated):  In addition to the requirements above, unvaccinated uniformed Service members, Federal employees, and contractors will take extra precautions to ensure they protect themselves, others, and the mission from detrimental effects associated with their higher risk of infection.  The following additional measures will be adhered to by unvaccinated (not fully vaccinated) uniformed Service members, Federal employees, contractors, and visitors, as applicable:
  • Will wear face masks and physically distance to the maximum extent in all indoor locations.  Applies to all unvaccinated (not fully vaccinated) personnel on F. E. Warren AFB or its geographically separated locations, and uniformed Service members off base.
    • These requirements do not apply to a member’s on or off-base residences (e.g. housing, apartments, dorm rooms, personal campers/tents) when only the household residents are present (e.g. family, roommates). The resident will determine mask wear of visitors to their residence.
  • Will wear face masks when physical distancing is not possible while outdoors.  Applies to all unvaccinated (not fully vaccinated) personnel on F. E. Warren AFB or its geographically separated locations, and uniformed Service members off base.
  • Will not participate in contact sports, or those sports which physical distancing standards cannot be maintained.  Applies to all unvaccinated (not fully vaccinated) personnel on F. E. Warren AFB or its geographically separated locations, and uniformed Service members off base.
    • Contact sports are sports in which the participants necessarily come into bodily contact with one another.  For example, contact sports include, but not limited to, sports such as football, rugby, soccer, basketball, martial arts, fighting (boxing, UFC, MMA, etc.), wrestling, and hockey.  For example, sports that are not contact sports, where physical distancing cannot be maintained include, but not limited to, sports such as volleyball.  When in doubt, contact your unit commander for guidance.
  • Will not participate in on or off-base volunteer activities, through a private organization or in their personal capacity, that involve crowds greater than 25 people and where social distancing is difficult or not possible, e.g. Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD). Applies to unvaccinated (not fully vaccinated) uniformed Service members only.
    • Uniformed Service member participation in off-base volunteer activities MUST BE APPROVED by the Unit Commander or Director in the participant’s chain of command.
      • There is no formal form for volunteer activities; e-mail coordination will suffice.  This is mandatory for all Active Duty members and is currently requested and highly encouraged for all civilians.  This requirement also includes all occasions where our Chaplains minister, volunteer off-base, and where there is group or individual support for an off-base event or activity.
  • Will not participate in off-duty employment on or off-base, which involve crowds greater than 25 people and where social distancing is difficult or not possible.  Applies to unvaccinated (not fully vaccinated) uniformed Service members only.
    • AF Form 3902 will be used for off-duty employment approval.
  • CDC guidance for Unvaccinated Personnel:  How to protect yourself and others is at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

All Personnel will comply with DoD, USAF, and unit travel guidelines, and CDC guidelines. Use the following references to determine travel guidance and restrictions:

• myPers, “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Guidance for Total Force,” https://mypers.af.mil/app/products/ (Select in Alerts Banner).
• CDC, “Travel,” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
• CDC, “Your Health,” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/index.html
• CDC, COVID-19 “County View” under “Your Community,” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/county-map.html.

LEAVE

Weather and Safety Leave (ATAAPS Code: PS) will be used when an employee is quarantined under the direction of a military, state, or federal public health authority, due to potential COVID-19 exposure and the employee is ineligible to telework. If an employee on weather and safety leave as a result of being quarantined tests positive for COVID-19 or begins to exhibit symptoms, the employee will be removed from weather and safety leave and placed in the appropriate leave status.

• All Personnel are authorized to take leave and are encouraged to do so, pursuant to DoD, USAF, and 90 MW policy.
• Refer to unit commander for guidance and/or restrictions on leave/special pass travel as the mission or regional/state/local health conditions necessitate.
• Refer to CDC guidelines for travel at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html.
• Highly recommend, if not already vaccinated, obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine prior to travel.  Travel has proven to be a higher risk activity for contracting COVID-19

MISSION SUPPORT GROUP AND FORCE SUPPORT

• For the latest hours of operations please click the link. https://www.funatwarren.com/hours-operation/

 VISITORS

• Installation visitor passes are authorized; sponsoring member will ensure their visitors comply with base directives and restrictions. Visitors must wear masks inside all DoD facilities.

​IF SHOWING SYMPTOMS

All personnel will contact 90 MDG Public Health NLT the following business day (Mon - Fri) if the member or any beneficiary receives a positive COVID-19 test result from an off-base provider or testing facility, or at-home testing kit.

• Members who have COVID-19 non-emergency symptoms will comply with the following procedures.  If member is experiencing emergency warning signs, seek emergency medical care immediately.
  • Uniformed Service members will contact the 90 MDG Appointment Line at 307-773-3461, Monday through Friday from 0700 – 1600L. After hours and weekends, if symptoms are mild and the member feels comfortable waiting until the next duty day, call the 90 MDG Appointment Line in the morning. Otherwise, call the nurse advice line for further guidance.
    • Active duty Service members with symptoms who go downtown for COVID testing will obtain prior authorization from the 90 MDG or Nurse Advice Line.
  • DoD civilians, dependents, and contractors should contact local Urgent Care or their physician for guidance.
  • Contact your unit leadership prior to reporting to work or other areas on base to establish a plan, to include possible Restriction of Movement (ROM).
• Procedures for members who have had possible contact with someone who is potentially positive for COVID-19.
  • If a member has been contacted or has concerns regarding possible close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual, contact Public Health at 307-773-3040.
  • Public Health will determine if contact tracing is appropriate and make the determination if the individual needs to quarantine, test, or to call the 90 MDG Appointment Line.
• Individuals designated in Restriction of Movement (ROM), Quarantine, or Isolation status will comply with specific direction/orders and established measures.
• DoD civilians, contractors, and dependents family members are highly encouraged to adhere to the restrictions mandated for the uniformed Service members within 90 MW OPORD 20-02 and associated FRAGORDS.

• • Exceptions to the above restrictions and guidelines that have not been delegated will be approved by the Wing Commander.  These changes will be listed on the warren.af.mil website; some policies may be posted at facility entrances, e.g. mask wear.

IF SHOWING SYMPTOMS

All personnel will contact 90 MDG Public Health NLT the following business day (Mon - Fri) if the member or any beneficiary receives a positive COVID-19 test result from an off-base provider or testing facility.

Follow the following procedures for members who have COVID-19 non-emergency symptoms. If member is experiencing emergency warning signs, seek emergency medical care immediately.

• Uniformed service members will contact the 90 MDG Appointment Line at 307-773-3461, Monday through Friday from 0730 – 1630L. After hours and weekends, if symptoms are mild and the member feels comfortable waiting until the next duty day, call the 90 MDG Appointment Line in the morning. Otherwise, call the nurse advice line for further guidance. 

• Active duty service members with symptoms who go downtown for COVID testing will obtain prior authorization from the 90 MDG or Nurse Advice Line. 

• DoD civilians, dependents, and contractors should contact local Urgent Care or their physician for guidance. 

• Contact your unit leadership prior to reporting to work or other areas on base to establish a plan, to include possible Restriction of Movement (ROM).

IF POSSIBLE CONTACT

Procedures for members who have had possible contact with someone who is potentially positive for COVID-19:

• If a member has been exposed, or has concerns regarding possible close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual, contact Public Health at 307-773-3040.

• Public Health will determine if contact tracing is appropriate and make the determination if the individual needs to quarantine, test, or to call the 90 MDG Appointment Line.

COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Please visit the Center of Disease Control website for more information.