JULY 29, 2021 – Following guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Defense Department has directed employees working in areas at high risk for transmission to begin using face masks again as a measure to prevent the continued spread of the COVID-19 virus, especially the fast-moving, highly-transmittable Delta variant.
The new guidance for the department came in a memorandum signed by Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks.
“In areas of substantial or high community transmission, DOD requires all service members, federal employees, onsite contractor employees and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask in an indoor setting in installations and other facilities owned, leased or otherwise controlled by DOD,” the memorandum read.
The memo also says that those who have not been vaccinated will need to continue to wear masks, as they have been required to do all along.
DOD installations are also being asked to post signage and update their websites to let visitors know of mask policies in place at those locations.
CDC guidance issued July 27 recommends that even individuals who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 start wearing a mask again while indoors if they are in an area of “substantial or high transmission.”
“To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission,” the CDC recommends.
Information about areas of the country that are most at risk for transmission can be found on the CDC website.
Updated Mask Guidance for the Pentagon Reservation
Effective immediately, in accordance with CDC guidelines and DoD direction, the Director of Administration & Management has directed that service members, federal employees, onsite contractor employees, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask in an indoor setting in installations and other facilities owned, leased or otherwise controlled by DoD in the Pentagon Reservation.
Further changes will be published in updated guidance for the Pentagon Reservation Health Protection Condition (HPCON). If you do not have a mask, DoD is prepared to provide one at Pentagon Reservation entrances.
You can read the guidance memo here.
BY C. TODD LOPEZ, DOD NEWS