LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Tx -- UPDATE: Feb. 16, 2022
Laughlin Air Force Base has directed Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Bravo effective Feb. 16, 2022. The change is due to ongoing transmission rates of COVID-19.
All personnel, regardless of vaccination status, are still required to wear a mask while indoors on the installation.
Exceptions include:
- A person speaking to an audience in an official capacity provided the speaker maintains 6 feet of physical distancing from the audience.
- An individual alone in a four-walled office with the door open or closed.
- (Children 2 years old and under.
- When actively participating in physical fitness activities indoors, and ensure either proper physical distancing is maintained or additional measures are implemented to mitigate the threat of COVID-19 transmission.
All personnel must continue to comply with current CDC guidance regarding areas where masks should be worn and must comply with any other federal law, state law, or local rules and regulations, including business and workplace guidance.
In-person official gatherings held inside Anderson Hall and Club XL are limited to 75% of occupancy. Force Support dining facilities are limited to 75% of capacity for dine in. Outdoor events are not limited, but individuals should maintain 6-foot social distancing to the maximum extent possible and commanders will assess risk and use their best judgment to mitigate transmission.
Visitors will be limited in critical mission execution facilities (Fire Department, Control Tower, Radar Approach Control, and others defined by Group Commanders) with unit
commanders being the waiver authority.
Unit Commanders are responsible for ensuring unit members adhere to this guidance, should plan work schedules to limit exposure and preserve mission capability, and maintain discretion on workplace occupancy and telework options.
Personnel must ensure thorough cleaning of office spaces, especially high traffic areas, to mitigate transmission risk as best as possible. We are counting on you to continue to use your best judgment to fulfill your personal responsibility of protecting each other. Vaccines are available at the 47th Medical Group and I encourage all of Team XL to make sure you, your family, and your teammates are protected from this virus. All members are highly encouraged to get boosters when eligible.
____________
Jan. 6, 2022
Laughlin Air Force Base has directed Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Bravo+ effective January 6, 2022. The change is due to the increased transmission rates of COVID-19.
With the change to HPCON Bravo+, in-person official gatherings inside Anderson Hall, Club XL, and all other 47th Force Support Dine-in Facilities are limited to 50% occupancy. There are no restrictions for all other indoor facilities. Still, unit commanders will assess risk associated with gatherings to mitigate possible transmission. At no point will any facility exceed 100% of occupancy. Outdoor events are not limited.
Col. Craig Prather, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, also directed unit commanders to plan work schedules that limit exposure and preserve mission capability. Unit commanders are also responsible for ensuring unit members adhere to this guidance and maintain discretion on workplace occupancy and telework options.
“Continued vigilance in combatting the rapid spread of this virus and its variants is essential,” said Prather. “We have been here before and are all familiar with how to effectively use the tools in place to reduce the risk of spread, such as vaccines and boosters, physical distancing, mask wearing, and good hygiene.”
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, need to isolate at home for five days until released and cleared for work by a medical provider based on Centers for Disease Control criteria.
Close contacts who are fully vaccinated (including the booster) will not be required to quarantine but will test five days after the last exposure. Close contacts who have not received the booster shot will be required to quarantine at home for five days unless directed otherwise by public health. They must also test five days from the last exposure.
Regardless of vaccination status, all personnel must continue to wear a mask while indoors on the base. Exceptions include private residences and individuals alone in four-walled offices, whether the doors are open or closed.