WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Wright-Patterson Air Force Base transitioned to Health Protection Condition Charlie on July 19 in response to steadily rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in surrounding counties.
In accordance with Department of Defense guidance published June 29, WPAFB made the shift in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention elevating both Greene and Montgomery counties to the “high” community level, said Col. Christopher Meeker, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander.
“We will continue to consistently apply DOD and Air Force guidance as CDC data for the local community changes,” he said.
The base will not declare a public health emergency at this time.
To maintain compliance with the most current COVID-19 Force Health Protection Guidance from DOD, indoor mask-wearing is required for all individuals, including service members, civilian and contractor personnel, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.
Mask wear continues to be mandatory at Wright-Patterson Medical Center.
Base personnel will see four operational changes:
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Less than 50 percent of normal occupancy in the workplace, where mission permits
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Mandatory screening testing for unvaccinated personnel
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Limited social gatherings to less than 50% of room occupancy
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Indoor mask wear is mandatory, except for specific instances that meet the following force-protection condition criteria:
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When an individual is alone in an office with a closed door and floor-to-ceiling walls
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During brief periods when eating and drinking while maintaining physical distance
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When the mask is required to be lowered briefly for identification or security purposes
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When necessary as a reasonable accommodation for a person with a disability or individual’s participation in a religious service
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When clear or unrestricted visualization of verbal communication is required for safe and effective operations in air traffic control, emergency dispatch or response, and other services
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When engaged in training activities where mask-wearing is not feasible or creates a hazard, such as swim qualification, amphibious and aquatic events
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When individuals are alone (or with members of their household or close social pod) in their housing, private outdoor space or personally owned vehicle
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When personnel are operating machinery, tools and other items during which a mask would present a safety hazard (for example, gaiter use may be needed for flightline safety reasons)
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When environmental conditions present a health and safety hazard (e.g., extreme elevated temperatures)
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When individuals are enrolled in a respiratory-protection program and wearing a respirator during duty performance requiring that safety measure
As Wright-Patt works through this latest wave of COVID-19 rates, base employees are urged to keep the following in mind:
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Know the rules about when to isolate (member is sick or COVID positive) and quarantine (member is a close contact).
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Wright-Patterson Medical Center has booster shots available to all eligible beneficiaries. Although not mandatory, having a booster shot eliminates the need to quarantine at home for five days if identified as a “close contact.”
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Wear a mask for 10 days if you test positive or are a close contact.
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Practice good hygiene and physical distancing.
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If you are sick, stay home and get tested.
National trends indicate this latest wave is transitory and community levels are expected back at “low” in short time, public health officials said.
The intent for this decision is to minimize disruption to customer-service functions and ask for patience with any delays. All community support, morale and business functions remain open with additional restrictions in place for mask wear and spacing.
To see current 88th Force Support Squadron facility operating impacts and hours, visit www.wpafb.af.mil/coronavirus/Facility-Operations.
Specific event schedules will be advertised on all official base communication platforms. As WPAFB’s Public Health team closely monitors the local area, visit the COVID-19 website for more information and updates: www.wpafb.af.mil/coronavirus.