JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- COVID-19 // 17 March 2020
JB MDL announces public health emergency, essential personnel manning
The JB MDL installation commander has declared a public health emergency for the base as of March 17 due to the evolving threat of COVID-19.
The declaration of a public health emergency allows the base commander to take certain protective measures. The emergency order is in place for 30 days.
The state of New Jersey and Burlington County, including other various counties throughout the state, are in similar states of emergency.
The order can be terminated or extended as required. The commander’s authorities are cited in DoD Instruction (DoDI) 6200.03, “Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) Within the DoD,” and Air Force Instruction (AFI) 10-2519, “Public Health Emergencies and Incidents of Public Health Concern.”
The base is open for essential personnel reporting for duty and some support functions will remain available. Additionally, access to base is restricted to contractor personnel except for those supporting mission-essential contracts. Contractor employees should contact their company supervisor for specific direction.
As a reminder, JB MDL is currently in Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Bravo. HPCON B level is an outbreak or high exposure risk and includes moderate health protection measures such as no handshaking, additional cleaning of common-use areas; however, be aware that more restrictive additional HPCON C measures could be implemented.
Essential personnel reporting:
JB MDL will assume essential-personnel manning effective March 18 until April 15. Only essential personnel will report for duty. Those members should contact their respective command teams for specific reporting instructions. Units should maximize use of telework.
Additional info:
The 87th ABW Medical Group has set up a hotline specifically if you are a 87th Medical Group beneficiary and you have specific/personal COVID-19 medical concerns: 609-754-9050, which is operated between 0745 and 1600 during the week. All other calls should be directed to the Nurse Advise Line at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), option 1.
As a reminder, you should call ahead before entering any clinic if you suspect you have COVID-19, to avoid contaminating the facility and possibly exposing others to the virus.
“The health and safety of our service members, civilian personnel, families and our community is our top priority,” said JB MDL Installation Commander, Col. Bridget Gigliotti. “We will continue to work with local, state and federal health partners to ensure we do everything we can to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 and ensure our personnel and their families have the most up-to-date information on appropriate measures to prevent the potential spread of the virus.”