JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- COVID-19 // 21 March 2020 update #2
Due to the evolving threat of COVID-19, the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst commander has implemented HPCON CHARLIE for JB MDL to protect the health and safety of its members, and to posture our teams to help mitigate the risk of contracting or spreading respiratory illnesses, effective noon March 21.
HPCON CHARLIE is a substantial health alert in response to continued and increased public health risks in the local community and surrounding major metropolitan areas. JB MDL members should continue to practice strict hygiene measures as outlined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (to include but not limited to frequent washing and/or sanitizing hands; social distancing, limiting group sizes to the smallest practical, etc).
Continue to stay educated through checking the JBMDL app’s COVID-19 tab, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announcements, routine health alerts, regular preparedness activities, and your chain of command.
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
Traveling off-base
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy issued a stay-at-home order directing residents to stay at home unless traveling for necessities and for the closure of all non-essential retail businesses to the public.
NJ Governor Announcement of Stay-at-home order: https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/general-public/governor-murphy-announces-statewide-stay-at-home-order-closure-of-all-non-essential-retail-businesses
As you know, there are many Essential Personnel who reside in the community and travel to the base to report for duty. If encountered by local law enforcement during travel, service members and federal employees shall identify themselves using their military ID and explain the nature of their travel (having a military ID is not an exemption to the Governor’s order; if you are malingering and acting outside the state’s Executive Order, you may be cited by law enforcement).
Doughboy Inn Update
Part of Doughboy Inn remains allocated to support a HHS/CDC federal quarantine mission. There have been zero passengers that have arrived at this time. Part of the Doughboy Inn will begin supporting lodging for limited essential personnel, so expect to see more movement in the area that is not associated with the HHS/CDC mission.
The base leadership is closely monitoring the effects of COVID-19 on our community and services. We encourage everyone to take health protection measures seriously, as this is an evolving situation. JB MDL will continue to release policy updates as they become available.