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Statement

Statement | April 5, 2020

GUIDANCE ON USE OF CLOTH FACE COVERINGS WITHIN USCENTCOM

USCENTCOM

TAMPA, Fla.  –  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. 

Effective immediately, all individuals physically located on federal property - Military, Civilian, Contractor, Family Member and any others - will wear face cloth coverings when they cannot maintain six feet of social distance in public areas or work centers.  Movement into a USCENTCOM facility, and movement through the hallways of USCENTCOM facilities, will also be areas where face coverings are mandatory.  Exceptions to this requirement must be approved by the J-DIR / SS and then submitted up the chain of command for situational awareness. This requirement is issued in accordance with SECDEF "Guidance on the Use of Cloth Face Coverings," issued 05 APR 20; DoDI 6200.03; and the Commander, MacDill AFB, Declaration of a "Public Health Emergency," which remains in effect.

All USCENTCOM personnel are encouraged to wear previously issued face coverings (buffs, neck gaiters, balaclavas, etc.) or fashion face coverings from household items or other common materials (clean t-shirts, handkerchiefs, etc.) Regardless of means employed, the nose and mouth area should be covered.  If not a uniform or issued item, military personnel will ensure that face coverings remain appropriate for wear in uniform.  All personnel (to include Civilian and Contractor) will ensure face coverings are conservative in style and do not include offensive symbols, logos, patterns, etc...

Update 4 to HQ USCENTCOM Force Health Protection Guidance for COVID-19 will contain additional details upon publication early this week.  The Military Services may also issue additional guidance.

Medical personal protective equipment such as N95 respirators or surgical masks will not be issued for this purpose as those will be reserved for appropriate personnel. In order to protect these valuable resources, personally procured N95 respirators or surgical masks will not be worn in USCENTCOM facilities.

Movement onto MacDill AFB does not require wearing a face cloth covering. However, if worn, Security Force personnel may require the lowering of face covers to verify identification.

Family members of USCENTCOM personnel are also recommended to wear cloth face coverings in public settings; however, this guidance does not apply at home - regardless of on base or off base housing.

Additional guidance regarding face cloth covering may be found at the CDC website.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html