COVID-19 // 16 March 2020

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  • 108th Wing

COVID-19 // 16 March 2020

The base continues monitoring the COVID-19 situation. The Joint Base leadership team and our public health experts continue to work closely with county, state and federal health teams to reduce the spread of the virus. Here are a few additional updates:

1. The Joint Base Installation Commander has directed JB MDL to assume Health Protection Condition Bravo (up from HPCON Alpha) as a result of the heightened exposure risk and continued spread of COVID-19 globally. NJ positive cases continue to increase. There are still 0 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases at JB MDL.

HPCON Bravo includes the following actions:

- Strict hygiene (frequently washing and/or sanitizing hands, wiping common-use items with disinfectant)

- Covering mouths and noses with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing; and staying home when sick

- Practice social distancing and refrain from physical contact such as hand shaking and sharing food, etc.

- Further assessing procedures and putting in additional measures to reduce exposure risk

2.  There are many customer service functions that have begun implementing HPCON B procedures or modifying their customer interaction:

- Security Forces ID Card procedures at the gate have been modified. Please follow all directions provided by the Defender. The driver is still responsible for collecting all passenger ID cards and displaying them to the Defender.  Visitors will still require a pass to enter the installation.

- Dining facilities temporarily eliminated salad bars

- Additional changes or modifications will be made as units/services access their HPCON B posture.

Check the Joint Base App COVID-19 section for the latest changes to services

3.  The Open House Air Show, Power in the Pines, scheduled for May 16-17 is cancelled. As you have likely seen, most upcoming air shows have postponed or cancelled throughout the country. This decision is based on guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Defense and the Air Force related to mass gatherings and cancellation of community outreach events. All of this is on top of the public health risk of gathering 75,000 people in one area, potentially widely spreading the virus. Other upcoming mass gatherings on base are being reviewed by Joint Base leadership for cancellation or re-scoping. 

4. As a reminder, if you or a member of your family develop flu-like symptoms with fever and cough or shortness of breath and suspect you have had contact with a person who has COVID-19 (or have been to areas of community spread), call the your medical facility first to prevent possible transmission in their facilities. For: please call the 87 MDG COVID-19 Hotline at 609-754-9050 (M-F, 0745-1600); after-duty hours and weekends, call the Nurse Advise Line at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), option 1.

For the latest updates on this evolving situation, please visit:

- CDC COVID-19 website: www.cdc.gov/COVID19

- DOD COVID-19 website: https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus/

- JB MDL COVID-19 website: https://www.jbmdl.jb.mil/Information/CDC-Novel-Coronavirus-Response-Support/

This is an ever-changing situation.