coronavirus

The Department of Defense is conducting a coordinated vaccine distribution strategy for prioritizing, and administering COVID-19 vaccines that will strengthen our ability to protect our people, maintain readiness, support the national COVID-19 response, and trust in safe and effective vaccines and vaccination plan.

The allocation and distribution of the vaccine is based on prioritization and includes those providing direct medical care, maintaining essential national security and installation functions, and beneficiaries at the highest risk for developing severe illness from COVID-19.

For base specific information visit:

- 31st Fighter Wing
- 39th Air Base Wing
- 48th Fighter Wing
- 52nd Fighter Wing
- 86th Airlift Wing
- 100th Air Refueling Wing
- 501st Combat Support Wing

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When will the vaccine be available in Europe for USEUCOM and component personnel?

In Europe, the initial DoD vaccine distribution will be to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. This initial distribution will be limited in quantity through a phased delivery following FDA Emergency Use Authorization. Delivery and distribution dates have not yet been established. As information becomes available we will keep everyone informed.

How will the distribution work here at USEUCOM?

Vaccines will initially be available to a limited number of personnel at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. After the initial administration of the vaccine is complete, the lessons learned will be used to inform the future distribution of the vaccine to other USEUCOM locations. Additional information about how vaccinations will be conducted will be provided after the initial round of vaccinations have been completed.

Will service members be required to take the vaccine?

Currently the vaccine will be offered on a voluntary basis only due to its FDA emergency use authorization. When formally licensed by the FDA, however, the DoD may require a vaccine for military personnel or personnel in specific fields, as is the case for the influenza vaccine, but that has not been determined yet at this time.

Will we still need to wear masks and practice physical distancing once a vaccine is available?

Yes. As the vaccine will only diminish the pandemic over time, our force health protection measures will continue. We will still need to wear cloth face covings and practice physical distancing to limit the spread of the virus. We will not have enough vaccine initially to vaccinate everyone who wants the vaccine and COVID-19 pandemic risks will continue.

According to the CDC, people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fever
Chills
Muscle pain
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell
This list is not all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

If you are a Tricare beneficiary, you can sign up for email updates on TRICARE-specific #COVID19 here.

REASONS TO SEEK MEDICAL ASSISTANCE:

1. If, within the last 14 days, you had close contact with a suspected or confirmed case of the coronavirus

2. You are experiencing a cough, AND

3. You have a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), STAY HOME -- DO NOT GO TO THE HOSPITAL. FOLLOW STEP 4 or STEP 5.

4. TRICARE beneficiaries should call the Nurse Advice Line at one of the following toll-free numbers based on your location:

- Belgium: 0800-81933
- Germany: 0800-071-3516
- Greece: 00-800-4414-1013
- Italy: 800-979721
- Spain: 900-82-2740
- Turkey: 00-800-44-882-5287
- UK: 0800-028-3263

*** To access the Nurse Advice Line from a cell phone in Europe you must first call your clinic appointment line and choose the option for the Nurse Advice Line.***

5. Non-TRICARE beneficiaries should contact their primary care provider for advice.

If you do NOT meet ALL THREE of the above criteria, but you have symptoms of upper respiratory infection, call your primary care provider for advice.

EMERGENCY WARNING SIGNS

If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately

Trouble breathing
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion
Inability to wake or stay awake
Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

DOD personnel and their family members should monitor their command social media pages as well as the DOD, CDC and U.S. Embassy websites for the latest info.

CDC Recommends:
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
*If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

DoD Guidance

Secretary Esper signed a memo May 26th (view here) transitioning to a conditions-based phased approach to personnel movement and travel restrictions. The memo cancels previous travel restrictions (April 20, 2020) and reissues guidance for DoD components that will remain in effect until further notice.

A DoD article about this newest memo may be found here.

To view Travel Restrictions Installation Status Update, click here. These locations have met the conditions to lift travel restrictions, subject to the assessment of conditions at individual military installations within these areas. These criteria are: 1) removal of shelter-in-place orders or other travel restrictions 2) 14-day downward trajectory of flu-like and COVID-19-like symptoms; and 3) 14-day downward trajectory of new COVID-19 cases or positive tests.

Air Force dependents have no restrictions on leisure travel, except for any imposed by the host nation or state authorities. Commanders have the authority to impose additional restrictions.

To learn more about each EU country’s public health measures, border status, and facility reopenings, visit https://reopen.europa.eu/en.

Remember – stay informed, take precautions, and follow all host nation and local restrictions. Some nations still require quarantines, and even green countries have not eliminated the COVID-19 threat.

More information on the update to the travel restrictions can be found here.

Effective 4 March 2021, all Official Fitness Assessment Testing is cancelled until July 2021.

• If fitness centers remain closed and local movement restrictions remain in place, commanders may choose to delay physical fitness assessment resumption beyond April 2020 until safe conditions are available.

• An Airmen's next scheduled fitness assessment will be based on the date of their last official assessment and fitness category.

• The annual height and weight measurements taken in conjunction with the fitness assessment will be temporarily suspended until further notice in order to preserve the health and safety of the force.

For more information, click here.

(Below is general information for Civilian Personnel, for specific information contact your local Civilian Personnel Office)

Appropriated Fund (APF) U.S. Civilian Employees:

Weather and Safety Leave - May be authorized by organizational command, if an asymptomatic non-telework employee has been quarantined and isolated as a result of a federal, command, or public health official directive/advisory. Strongly recommend supervisors and timekeepers retain documentation (e.g. Public Health Official notice, organizational commander approval, etc.,) when utilizing admin leave for this reason. (ATAAPS: “LN” with subcode “PS”)
Sick Leave - Employees who are symptomatic and quarantined due to a federally identified communicable illness, such as 2019-nCoV, would use sick leave.

Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) U.S. Civilian Employees:

While NAF employees must be treated the same as APF employees in emergencies such as exposure to communicable diseases/influenza, procedures and guidelines may differ. Please refer to the posted DCPAS guidance and refer questions to NAF human resources office.

APF and NAF Local National (LN) Employees:

HQ USAFE-AFAFRICA intends to mitigate negative effects of a possible 2019-nCoV outbreak on LN employment as is consistent with applicable host nation laws and labor agreements.
Paid absence (IAW CTA II para 26) - May be authorized by organizational command, if an asymptomatic employee is not allowed in his/her workplace and no alternate place of work is provided. Strongly recommend supervisors and timekeepers have documentation when utilizing paid absence for this reason. CTA II, Art 26, Para 3.b. and 2.a. apply. (LNTAP: Pay code 004, reference code C263A)
Paid absence (IAW CTA II para 26) – In the case an asymptomatic employee is prohibited from working by order of a health authority, CTA II Art 26, para 3.a. applies. Retain all documentation from the health authority. (LNTAP: Pay code 004, reference code C263A)
Sick Absence - Employees who are symptomatic and identified as unfit for work with a communicable illness, such as 2019-nCoV, would follow the normal sick absence rules of engagement established in CTA II.