Military Installation ‘Reopening’ Procedures May Not Mirror States, DOD Officials Say

May 1, 2020

While state governments around the country contemplate the right protocol to safely open businesses and public institutions, coronavirus lockdowns on U.S. military installations may persist despite governor recommendations, reports Defense One.

“We’re going to be living with this virus for some period of time. So making sure we adjust the protocols and adjust the process I think is absolutely critical,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein. Since predictions of a viable vaccine would not be available up to a year, Goldfein says it is necessary to live amongst a “cyclical virus.”

One example of state protocol working at odds with military and installation rules is that of the State of Georgia and Fort Benning. Recently Georgia Governor Brian Kemp decided to reopen the state, but Fort Benning staff say a “phased transition” may be a safer approach to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

“The virus did not impact the country uniformly, so we need to tailor our approach to reopening,” said Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy.

May 1, 2020

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