U.S. Air Forces in Europe & Air Forces Africa
1. Stop Movement for Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Temporary Duty (TDY), Contingency Deployments, and Leave
Effective 13 March 2020, Total Force Military Airmen and their families traveling to, from, or through Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Health Notices Level 3 (COVID-19) designated locations as depicted at Attachment 1 will Stop Movement through 30 June 2020:
Titled, Modification and Reissuance of DoD Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 - Travel Restrictions, reissued travel restriction guidance for DoD Components that will remain in effect until 30 June 2020, unless otherwise ordered by the Secretary of Defense (Attachment 19).
All uniformed and civilian personnel and their sponsored dependents will stop movement, both internationally and domestically, while this memorandum is in effect, subject to the exemptions and waivers described herein (see Part I, paragraph 2 and paragraph 3). DoD family members, whose transportation is government funded, will also stop movement. Concurrent Travel is not automatically approved unless specifically exempted herein. Except as provided below, this stop movement applies to all official travel, including temporary duty (TDY) travel; Government-funded leave travel; permanent duty travel, including Permanent Change of Station (PCS) travel; and travel related to Authorized and Ordered Departures issued by the Department of State. For DoD active duty service members and Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members in a duty status, it also includes personal leave outside the local area and non-official travel outside the local area.
(CAO 22 April 2020)
- (Updated 22 April 2020) The following exemptions apply to both member and dependents for international and domestic travel. Travel resulting from approved exemptions and waivers must follow guidance in paragraph 4 before initiating travel to ensure measures to enhance traveler safety are met:
A. Airmen and their sponsored dependents past their original RNLTD/DEROS who are “awaiting transportation,” have initiated/started travel (including intermediate stops), or have packed and/or shipped Household Goods (HHG), are authorized to proceed/continue to their final destination on approved orders.
B. Authorized travelers whose non-GFM TDY or Leave ends while this directive is in effect are authorized to return to their permanent duty station. Non-GFM ARC members must return to their home duty station prior to the end of their orders. No authority exists to involuntarily extend non-GFM ARC members. ARC personnel required to self-quarantine will extend an additional 14 days on the same set of TDY orders. AFR specific orders guidance will be provided in a separate document.
C. Travel by patients, as well as their authorized escorts and attendants, for purposes of medical treatment is authorized. Travel by medical providers for the purposes of medical treatment for DoD personnel and their families is also authorized.
D. U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) is authorized to continue execution of the Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise as required to project and sustain the Joint Force globally. This includes forces (aircrews and mission essential personnel) ordered on prepare to deploy orders (PTDO) alert status, air refueling, global patient movement, Mortuary Affairs support, inland surface, sea and air sustainment missions, support to other U.S. Agencies as approved by Secretary of Defense, and moves of personnel and equipment that support USTRANSCOM global posture requirements.
E. Retirements and Separations: Airmen retiring or separating are exempt. Airmen who are unable to schedule household good shipments or travel due to local restrictions or shelter-in-place initiatives may request changes to their retirement/separation dates via myPers.
F. Casualty and Mortuary Affairs programs have outlined exemptions for their mission sets in guidance dated 27 Mar 20. See Attachment 14.
G. Student and instructor travel associated with uniformed personnel Recruiting and Accessions activities, to include accessions, basic training, advanced individual training (Initial Skills Training (IST), Technical Training and Retraining), and follow-on travel to the first duty station. Losing myPers Page 3 of 9 https://mypers.af.mil/app/answers/detail/a_id/46605 4/21/2020 organizations will coordinate with gaining units for any specific travel mitigation requirements.
H. AETC will continue to develop Airmen in AETC technical and flying training and advanced academic education (such as the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College).AETC/CC has determined that this AETC training is mission essential. Therefore, Airmen projected to attend or instruct these AETC training courses are mission essential (Attachment 6).
IAW AU/CC MFR, dated 9 April 2020 (Attachment 16), concurrent travel for dependents is authorized for students and faculty assigned to AU training and advanced education programs deemed mission essential.
IAW 19 AF/CC MFR, dated 3 April 2020 (Attachment 15), concurrent travel for dependents is authorized for graduates of all aviation and technical training classes conducted by 19 AF units when they are executing PCS moves. IAW current AETC guidelines, Airmen assigned to CONUS locations are authorized to travel to this training; travel from OCONUS is not authorized without a waiver. Contact should be made well in advance of departure to allow for any required 14-day Restriction of Movement. It is highly recommended units and students contact training squadrons and locations to check on any changes or new requirements that may arise during the on-going COVID-19 response.
I. Evacuations: Travel by those under authority of a Chief of Mission and authorized by that Chief of Mission. Within the Department of the Air Force (DAF), uniformed service member Eligible Family Members (EFMs), DAF civilian employees and/or their EFMs who wish to evacuate from a foreign area must first request and obtain a waiver to the stop movement from the first general or flag officer, or Civilian Senior Executive (e.g., a member of the Senior Executive Service) in the uniformed service member’s or civilian employee’s chain of command. Refer to Attachment 17 for detailed guidance.
J. Global Force Management (GFM) Activities (Contingency Deployments): GFM activities are defined as deployments/redeployments ordered in the GFM Allocation Plan and Combatant Command Assigned Force Demand tasking, including 365-Day Extended Deployments (ED) and Service internal rotations to support and TDY used to source ordered capabilities. Such travel to execute Operations, Activities, and Investments or Service related training will be coordinated between the Combatant Command, the Joint Staff, and the appropriate Service.
The VCSAF has provided policy and guidance regarding Restriction of Movement procedures for service members traveling for pre-deployment training during COVID-19 restrictions (Attachment 18). This policy and guidance will reduce the myPers requirement for the number of Airmen going TDY for pre-deployment training, and will eliminates the requirement to have to go to multiple training locations. Unit Deployment Managers (UDM) will verify that pre-deployment training requirements only require Airmen to travel to one pre-deployment training venue prior to deployment. If more than one TDY is showing required, the UDM will inform the unit commander, who will then seek clarification/additional waivers through their chain of command. It is important that deploying members remain in contact with their Installation Personnel Readiness (IPR), UDM and Chain of Command as there have been instances in which pre-deployment training and/or deployments have been delayed.
365-Day Extended Deployment (ED): If eligible and all PCS requirements have been met, dependent travel to the CONUS Advanced Assignment (AA) location is authorized. AA travel to OCONUS locations requires the use of already existing AA exception to policy procedures. Eligible families are authorized to proceed to AA before, after, or upon the Airman's departure from losing station. Movement will be IAW paragraph 4 below.
Waivers to this directive may be granted in writing in cases where the travel is: (1) determined to be mission-essential; (2) necessary for humanitarian reasons; or (3) warranted due to extreme hardship. Mission-essential travel refers to work that must be performed to ensure the continued operations of mission-essential functions, including positions that are deemed key and essential, as determined by the responsible DoD Component. These waivers shall be coordinated between the gaining and losing organizations, are to be executed on a case-by-case basis, and must be determined to be in the best interest of the U.S. Government. Waiver template is at Attachment 8.
Approval authority for these and all other waivers belongs to:
A. Combatant Commander if the individual is assigned or allocated to a Combatant Command;
B. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff if the individual is assigned to the Joint Staff;
C. Secretary of the Military Department concerned for personnel under his/her jurisdiction: ◦ This authority has been delegated by the Secretary of the Air Force (Attachment 7) to the first general, flag officer, or member of the Senior Executive Service in the traveler's chain of command or supervision;
D. Chief of the National Guard Bureau (NGB) for all personnel assigned, attached, or allocated to the NGB and, for travel using Federal funds, all travel by title 32 and title 5 personnel assigned throughout the National Guard;
E. Chief Management Officer for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Defense Agencies, Defense Field Activities, and any other DoD entities not listed above. Delegations previously authorized under previous guidance remain in effect until those delegations are rescinded or superseded. References in prior delegations to "member of the Senior Executive Service" are deemed to include equivalent personnel.
The restrictions above give preeminence to the safety and security of our personnel, their families, and our communities. During this period of travel restriction, several measures must be taken to enhance traveler safety, lessen the burden on DoD personnel and their families, and ensure continued operations.
Specifically, each organization, as applicable, will take immediate action to:
A. Clearly communicate the contents of this directive to those individuals affected by these travel restrictions.
B. Establish pre- and post-travel screening and reception procedures for all travelers as provided in Attachment 3 and any applicable subsequent guidance, to include establishing a means of communication with all personnel throughout the pre- and post-travel screening and reception process and providing information regarding prescribed actions for their particular circumstances.
C. Use military- or DoD-contracted end-to-end travel using aircraft or other conveyance for DoD sponsored travelers to the greatest extent practical.
D. Inform all travelers of their responsibility to contact their gaining organization in advance of travel and to keep the organization updated on their travel itinerary.
E. MPFs will document exemptions or waivers via the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Authorized Delay/Awaiting Transportation memo in lieu of an AF FM 973, Request and Authorization for Change of Administrative Orders (PCS order amendment).
F. MPFs will assist eligible Airmen with submitting assignment extension, deferment, or cancellation requests for PCS moves that cause Airman or family hardships. The Airman’s commander must endorse the request. MPFs will submit the member’s request with justification and commander’s endorsement to afpc.dp3am.workflow@us.af.mil.
A. Leave: Until the prescribed travel restrictions are lifted, Airmen are only authorized local leave in accordance with AFI 36-3003, and local leave policies (see Attachment 9). This also applies to Regular (i.e. weekends) and Special Pass situations.
B. Leave Enroute: At this time, leave enroute is not authorized for any category of move. Requests for waiver should follow guidance in paragraph 3 above. For Airmen desiring local leave, commanders are encouraged to allow Airmen to utilize local leave prior to out-processing or after arrival at gaining location.
Any DEROS and RNLTD changes required as a result of this directive will be made by AFPC and will subsequently be reevaluated in coordination with MAJCOMs to align with mission requirements and traveler safety.
MPFs supporting RegAF Airmen will identify and report to AFPC all the Airmen placed on TDY hold.
Note: Airmen must be in enroute (away from losing location) to PCS location to be placed on TDY hold. MPFs will also report the status of Airmen impacted by Stop Movement and report TDY hold information to AFPC.DP3AM.Workflow@us.af.mil. Additionally, impacted Airmen will receive a direct message from myPers to provide the necessary information to AFPC/DP3AM. Further reporting information will be forthcoming via separate guidance.
Utilize the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Authorized Delay/Awaiting Transportation memo (in lieu of an AF FM 973, Request and Authorization for Change of Administrative Orders) for Airmen to resume travel.
Through 30 June 2020, except as provided herein, stop movement guidance restricts family members from government-funded travel. Concurrent official travel for family members of Total Force Military is authorized for exemptions listed in Part I, paragraph 2 and for waivers that have been approved IAW Part I, paragraph 3.
A. Family member travel delayed for ‘Less than 20 Weeks’: For Airmen currently with an exemption to stop movement guidance and traveling without their dependents, utilize the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Authorized Delay/Awaiting Transportation memo (in lieu of an AF FM 973, Request and Authorization for Change of Administrative Orders) upon lift of stop movement to authorize dependent travel. Airmen currently assigned overseas must seek guidance for PCS options according to the applicable guidance for the country assigned.
B. Hardship Requests: If Airmen have a hardship based on the concurrent travel policy and desire to request a RNLTD/DEROS change or assignment diversion, MPFs will assist the Airmen with submitting the request. The Airman’s commander must endorse the request. MPFs will submit the member’s request with justification and commander’s endorsement to afpc.dp3am.workflow@us.af.mil.
C. Waivers to this Guidance: Requests for waiver must follow guidance in Part I, paragraph 3. The waiver authority may authorize concurrent travel for family members, but it must be addressed in the approved waiver letter (Attachment 8).
For Military and Civilian personnel: Contact AFPC Total Force Center (Comm: 1-800-525-0102 / DSN: 665-0102) (24/7) for travel guidance • For Active Duty MAJCOM/MPFs: Contact AFPC/DP3AM at afpc.dp3am.workflow@us.af.mil • For CPFs for Civilian Personnel Movements and Recruitment: Contact AF Civilian Recruiting Branch at DSN 665-1774 or DSN 565-1153 or Email: AFPC.DP3CR.CivilianRecruiting@us.af.mil. For Civilian Telework, Leave and Duty Status contact AF Civilian Support Branch at DSN 665-5707 or commercial (210) 565-5707. Email: afpc.dp3fsciviliansupportbr@us.af.mil • For Air Force Reserve member 24 hour support/inquiries, contact AFRC Force Generation Center/Battlewatch at DSN: 497-1234 or commercial (478) 327-1234 or after hours DSN: 497-0680 or commercial (478) 327-0680. For specific Reserve AGR assignment guidance, contact ARPC/DPAA at DSN 847-1704 or commercial 720-847-1740 or via myPers: https://mypers.af.mil. For IMA personnel contact your RIO detachment or contact HQ RIO at 720-847-3266. For Air National Guard personnel: Contact ANG Command Center at DSN: 612-6001 or commercial (240) 612-6001
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.
As of 29 June 20, the following locations meet 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.
U. S. (48)
The following host nation countries are currently classified as green by US European Command cao 19 June 20:
Commanders have the authority to impose additional restrictions.
Air Force dependents have no restrictions on leisure travel, except for any imposed by the host nation or state authorities.
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 22 May 2020, all Official Fitness Assessment Testing is cancelled until October 2020. The latest change, which is subject to local health conditions and states, “Commanders shall begin assessing Airmen’s fitness on Oct. 1, 2020 contingent upon base fitness centers being reopened and local state/country travel and movement restrictions being lifted.” • If fitness centers remain closed and local movement restrictions remain in place, commanders may choose to delay physical fitness assessment resumption beyond Oct. 1, 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. • In order to maintain the health and safety of the force as testing resumes, the abdominal circumference component will be temporarily suspended through Oct. 1, 2021 or until further notice. During this period, all Airmen will receive a temporary, one-year abdominal circumference component exemption, and the next scheduled test date will be based on the overall fitness score. This one-year temporary abdominal circumference exemption will take precedence over any other shorter term temporary abdominal circumference exemptions. • 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.
For students enrolled in the DoDEA school system, DoDEA will announce relevant information concerning the 2020/2021 school year at a later date.
Click here for the official DoDEA COVID-19 website.
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:
If you are a Tricare beneficiary, you can sign up for email updates on TRICARE-specific #COVID19 here.
WHEN TO CONTACT MEDICAL: Category 1 countries/areas If you have returned from: - Wuhan City/Hubei Province (China)
OR
If, since 19 Feb 2020, you have returned from: - Iran - Daegu or Cheongdo (Republic of Korea) - Any of the following SPECIFIC north Italy towns, which are under containment measures: Bertonico, Casalpusterlengo, Castelgerundo, Castiglione D’Adda, Codogno, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Terranova dei Passerini (all in the Lombardy region) - Vo (in the Veneto region)
If you’ve been in contact (within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more) with a confirmed COVID-19-infected person… Contact Public Health and self-quarantine for 14 days from departure from the affected area.
Category 2 countries/areas
If you have returned from: - Anywhere in mainland China besides Wuhan City/Hubei Province) - Hong Kong - Japan - Macau - Malaysia - Anywhere in the Republic of Korea besides Daegu/Cheongdo - Singapore - Taiwan - Thailand
If, since 19 Feb 2020, you have returned from:
- Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Vietnam - Northern Italy (excluding the specific cities mentioned to the left)
Contact Public Health and you will not need to stay home and self-quarantine.
OTHER 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, OR you traveled to China, Iran, Italy and South Korea AND
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
*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.
(Below is general information for Civilian Personnel, for specific information contact your local Civilian Personnel Office)
Appropriated Fund (APF) U.S. Civilian Employees:
Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) U.S. Civilian Employees:
APF and NAF Local National (LN) Employees:
INFO FOR INDIVIDUAL BASES: - 31st Fighter Wing - 39th Air Base Wing - 48th Fighter Wing - 52nd Fighter Wing - 86th Airlift Wing/435th AGOW/AEW - 100th Air Refueling Wing - 501st Combat Support Wing
OFFICIAL WEBSITES:
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 - What the U.S. Government is Doing - U.S. European Command - Defense Department - EU Centre Disease Prevention & Control - U.S. Centers for Disease Control - World Health Organization
Current Travel Advisories Interactive Travel Map Advisories
Air Force Telework Capabilities Antivirus Software for DoD Teleworkers Local Leave Define Strategies for Managing Stress Navigating relationship safety Four Ways to support Kids COVID-19 vs. the Flu: Fact Sheet Symptoms of COVID-19 What you need to know What to do if you're sick Stop the spread of germs