Public Health Directive 7.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE

30TH SPACE WING

6 January 2021

MEMORANDUM FOR ALL VANDENBERG AFB PERSONNEL

FROM: 30 SW/CC

SUBJECT: Public Health Directive #7

1. As predicted, COVID-19 infection rates have increased dramatically over the holiday season and we have entered 2021 with higher hospitalization rates than ever before. Although we have begun the first wave of vaccinations here at Vandenberg AFB, it will be months before the entire community is vaccinated and we can safely put this pandemic behind us. Public Health Directives 1-6 are hereby rescinded and replaced by this Directive. This Directive is effective immediately, and applies to all military members of Vandenberg AFB regardless of location, as well as civilian employees, dependents, retirees, contractors, and any persons on the installation for any reason.

2. Although vaccinations are optional, members who are eligible to receive vaccinations are highly encouraged to do so. Future Public Health Directives will provide additional exceptions for individuals who can prove they are fully vaccinated (7 days after the second shot). Everyone wants to put the trials and tribulations of 2020 behind them, but 2021 will likely be no different if members of Team Vandenberg decline to receive the vaccine. To help you make an informed decision, please review the FDA’s “Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers” at https://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download. The vaccine has been shown in clinical trials to be ~90% effective at granting immunity to fully vaccinated individuals. We stand behind that data and we are actively pursuing reductions to the restrictions outlined in this Public Health Directive for those individuals who choose to be vaccinated.

3. The regional medical healthcare system is at a breaking point. Moreover, the lack of sufficient hospital beds and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity in our local area introduces a new threat to members of Team Vandenberg who may require emergency medical services for issues not even related to COVID-

19. As a result, all members of Team Vandenberg are strongly advised to suspend all High-Risk Activities, those having a higher potential for personal injury due to the level of competition, speed, risk, or skills needed and requiring greater agility, stamina and dexterity. Some examples of high-risk activities are flying civil aircraft, hang gliding, skydiving, parasailing, white-water rafting, motorcycling, auto racing, scuba diving, bungee jumping and bronco and bull riding. (See AFI 91-202, The USAF Mishap Prevention Program, Attachment 1.) Do everything you can to avoid hospitalization!

4. Sq/CCs and Directors have the authority to direct individuals to be tested before returning to the work center. Asymptomatic individuals will be automatically “cleared” to return to duty assuming test results do not indicate COVID POSITIVE. However, even “cleared” individuals should proceed with caution as test results depend on viral loads and incubation periods that vary. Leadership teams are encouraged to contact the Medical Control Center (MCC) at 805-606-9566 or the appointment line at 805-606-CARE (- 2273) to facilitate testing, or to speak with Public Health for additional guidance. Sq/CCs and Directors may contact 30 FSS/FSCA at 805-606-5847 for advice where civilians are concerned.

5. The following measures are mandatory to protect the health of everyone on Vandenberg AFB.

Exceptions for mission- and service-essential activities must be approved at the Sq/CC or Director level.

a. Physical Distancing and Limited Gatherings. All individuals are to maintain a minimum of 6 feet distance from other individuals and utilize face coverings, whether indoors or outdoors.

https://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download

i. Unofficial Gatherings (private) are limited to 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors. At this time, no waivers or allowances will be approved.

ii. Official Gatherings (unit-sponsored) are limited to 50 people (whether indoors or outdoors).

However, indoor events should include formalized processes (such as designated seating) to assist with physical distancing, and minimizing close contacts. Waivers may be granted on a case-by-case basis after consultation with Public Health and approval by the Installation Commander.

iii. Gatherings at Key Facilities (Chapel, AAFES, DECA, PCC, Fitness Center, other FSS facilities) have established procedures with capacities previously coordinated by Public Health. No change is directed at this time.

b. Report Adverse Health Status. Contact tracing has also generated a number of quarantines due to individuals who reported for duty even though they were experiencing adverse health conditions. Anyone experiencing adverse health conditions must contact their leadership teams and seek medical guidance from their primary care provider before entering the work center.

i. Any individual experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever of greater than 100.4 °F, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell) must report symptoms to the MCC at 805-606-9566, after seeking care from their primary care provider.

ii. Any individual that has tested positive for COVID-19, at any location, must contact the MCC at 805-606-9566 to facilitate Public Health’s effort to track the virus.

c. Masks. Consistent with CDC and local area guidelines, all personnel on Vandenberg AFB shall wear a cloth face covering or face mask that covers the nose and mouth at all times. For more on mask efficacy, see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/masking-science-sars-cov2.html.

i. Sq/CCs or Directors may authorize the temporary removal of face coverings within their work centers, but should exercise extreme discretion before doing so (e.g., mission requirements, members working alone in an office, coworkers of hearing impaired employees, or the face covering poses a safety hazard in the performance of duties). Security Forces personnel may require the momentary lowering of face covers to verify identification. Additionally, personnel with underlying health conditions that prohibit the wear of a face covering must acquire medical documentation from a health care provider outlining such a condition and the restrictions the condition places on wear of a face covering.

ii. Exempted from this directive are persons in their personal residence (except for those who are ill or have otherwise been directed to wear a face covering by a medical professional), persons in their personal vehicles (alone or with family members), persons exercising outdoors (provided there is enough physical distance between the person exercising and others), and children under two years of age.

d. Travel. Contact tracing shows that recent infections were often related to travel—whether hosting visitors or traveling to be with friends and family. Now that we are through the holiday season, I encourage all members of Team Vandenberg to avoid all unnecessary travel.

i. Unofficial Travel (leave and pass). The local area is defined as San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County. Military members must have Sq/CC or Director approval to travel outside the local area, whether on leave or on pass. Before approving any travel requests, Sq/CCs and Directors will conduct a risk assessment of the health status and travel itinerary for military members and determine https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/masking-science-sars-cov2.html if testing is warranted prior to reintegration into the work center. While civilian travel cannot be restricted, civilian employees should report to their supervisor and the MCC if they believe they were exposed to COVID-19 during their travel.

ii. Official Travel (PCS/TDY). To determine if an installation is open for official travel, visit:

https://www.defense.gov/explore/spotlight/coronavirus/. Official travel from or to an installation that is not open for official travel will still require an exception to policy in accordance with the Secretary of Defense guidance.

e. Telework. Commanders are encouraged to revisit telework status for unit personnel and continue to grant telework privileges based on mission requirements and work center physical distancing options.

Commanders are encouraged to implement rotations to minimize the chance that a single person becoming sick could cause significant mission impact. Vulnerable civilian employees (as defined by current CDC guidelines) may utilize the reasonable accommodation process with assistance from Employee/Management Relations (805-606-5847).

f. Close Contacts. Minimize close contact with others. The CDC currently defines close contact as being within 6 feet of someone with the virus for a cumulative total of 15 minutes (or more) over a 24-hour period. See more information at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/contact-tracing/contact-tracing-plan/appendix.html#contact. Additionally, increase ventilation (run fans, open windows/doors, meet outside), minimize size/frequency/duration of in-person meetings, and routinely clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces.

g. Follow Public Health Orders. Strict adherence to measures directed by the PHEO is mandatory.

i. If ordered or directed into quarantined, or isolated status, remain exclusively at your residence or other appropriate domicile, follow any related instructions, self-monitor, report worsening symptoms to your primary care provider, and call 9-1-1 for any medical emergencies.

ii. Sq/CCs and Directors are authorized and accountable to temporarily restrict the movement of any individual in their organization, consistent with the definitions identified in the “COVID-19 Public Health Risk Categories,” signed by the PHEO. When taking such action, commanders, or their designated representative, will call the MCC to coordinate with the PHEO, who will determine whether isolation or quarantine is required. Sq/CCs and Directors may contact 30 FSS/FSCA at 805- 606-5847 for advice where civilians are concerned.

iii. Dormitory residents are subject to the policy and procedures outlined in the VAFB Dorm Residents Policy COVID-19 memorandum.

6. This memorandum is directive and will terminate when directed by the 30 SW/CC, in consultation with the PHEO. Any person who refuses to obey or otherwise violates its provisions may be detained and turned over to military or civilian authorities. For military members, violations are punishable under the UCMJ. For all personnel, violations are punishable under the United States Code (USC), to include 18 USC 1001, 18 USC 1382, and 42 USC 271. Additionally, any personnel who fail to adhere to this memorandum or subsequent orders may be subject to debarment (denied access to the installation).

ANTHONY J. MASTALIR, Colonel, USAF Commander https://www.defense.gov/explore/spotlight/coronavirus/ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/contact-tracing/contact-tracing-plan/appendix.html#contact https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/contact-tracing/contact-tracing-plan/appendix.html#contact