BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Effective Wednesday April 8, 2020, and to the greatest extent possible, all individuals on Buckley AFB will wear protective face coverings when they cannot maintain six feet of social distance in all public areas and work centers. The Department of the Air Force supports, and will continue to implement, all measures necessary to mitigate risks to the spread of the disease.
This new policy is in accordance with the guidance issued by Secretary Mark Esper, the United States Secretary of Defense, on April 5, 2020 in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing cloth face coverings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas where community based transmission is of greater risk.
This directive applies to all service members, DOD civilian employees, family members, DOD contractors, and all other individuals on Buckley AFB. This does not include a member’s personal residence on the military installation, privately owned vehicle, or while exercising outside (as long as the 6 foot social distancing rule is observed).
Until the Air Force issues further guidance on the wear for service members, these face masks should be self-procured and remain conservative and professional in nature. Additionally, interim cloth face covers are approved for wear. N-95 and surgical masks should be reserved for health care workers.
The base pharmacy, Commissary and Base Exchange have been directed to turn away anyone who is not wearing a face covering until further notice.
Buckley AFB is committed to taking every precaution to ensure the health and well-being of its service members, Total-Force mission partners, DOD civilian employees, families and community in response to COVID-19 and will continue to implement force protective measures to mitigate the spread of this virus.
Buckley AFB remains in Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Charlie in response to the spread of COVID-19 in the state of Colorado. The HPCON Charlie declaration defines base measures for a substantial health threat to base personnel that has the potential for widespread community transmission of the virus.
For the guidance referenced above, please see: https://media.defense.gov/2020/Apr/05/2002275059/-1/-1/1/DOD-GUIDANCE-ON-THE-USE-OF-CLOTH-FACE-COVERINGS.PDF
To learn how to make your own cloth face coverings please visit the Center’s for Disease Control website at : https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html