Child and Youth Services (CYS) at Fort Jackson, S.C., will reopen to mission-essential personnel June 1 as the base continues transitioning to a “steady state,” according to a recent press release.

“Opening CYS facilities does not mean full capacity,” Brig. Gen. Milford Beagle Jr., the base’s commander, said. “In order to preserve the safety precautions we have taken to date, reopening must be phased, deliberate and intentional with adherence to social distancing, child and staff health screening, and enhanced cleaning procedures.”

Sunny Bolton, CYS coordinator, advised that enhanced health screenings include asking parents if in the past 24 hours their children have had a fever; been given a fever reducer; have been fussier than usual; had diarrhea; or have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

“Our community has pulled together through these unprecedented times, and safety measures have been effective,” Beagle said. “As Fort Jackson gets better at ‘this’ steady state and we begin to slowly dial things up, we will be able to reduce some of our measures without increasing risk to our population on Fort Jackson and in the community.”

Photo by Sgt. Mark E. Morrow