Masks are now required on Joint Base Lewis-McChord regardless if inside or outside for those that cannot maintain six feet of distance said Lt. Gen. Randy George, commander of I Corps and JBLM during a townhall meeting Tuesday.
George said cases have risen on base over the past couple weeks. He made the call to stay inline with Washington State's COVID-19 guidelines which require all people in the state to wear masks as well.
George also sai last week’s announced procedures for block leave are still a go with Florida, Michigan and California now the only “red” states delegated by the Defense Department. Travel to those three states require a first general officer’s approval in the chain of command. Those wanting to travel outside the United States will need George’s permission.
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For PCS season, chains of command will assist personnel making their moves to red or green states. These will require the same level of unit authorizations as block leave.
In other news Tuesday …
• There is still not a final decision on Freedom Fest for August, however, George expressed his doubt seeing that Pierce County would need to be in Phase Four by then. The county is currently in Phase Two as designated by Govenor Jay Inslee. George said an announcement will be made by July 14.
• Dental cleanings are the only dental services still not available, and a date for those have not been announced. Referals cannot be made to off base dentists.
• Groups can gather on base as long as they are limited to a maximum of five people outside their households.
• There is no timeline for recycling services to return to base, however bulk drop offs are available through Lincoln Housing for those PCSing in or out only.
• Stone Education is open, but there is not a date for McChord’s education center opening.
• Madigan expanded its visitation policy this week, here is their release …
• Labor and delivery (L&D), Postpartum, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), and inpatient Pediatric unit (4N) will be authorized two (2) ADULT visitors during their stay. No more than two (2) visitors a day, and no more than two visitors in the room at one time. After delivery when the mother is transferred to the postpartum unit, only one ADULT visitor will be authorized to stay overnight. This second adult will be required to leave by 1900. L&D, NICU, PICU, and 4N are not restricted to visiting hours. Any L&D, postpartum, PICU, or inpatient Pediatric patient (4N) that has tested positive for COVID-19 or who is being tested for COVID-19, will be permitted only one ADULT visitor , and must remain in the patient room until discharge. If they leave the facility, they will not be permitted to return without an exception.Any NICU patient who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who is being tested for COVID-19 will not be permitted visitors at this time. End of Life/ Palliative Care/critically ill may have two (2) ADULT visitors a day, and no more than two visitors in one room at a time. These visitors are not limited to visiting hours.Further exceptions to this policy may be made on a case-by-case basis in concert with the multi-disciplinary care team at the discretion of the Attending Physician of Record.
All Outpatient Clinics, Outpatient Surgery & Procedures …
• Each patient is allowed one ADULT visitor during their outpatient clinic appointment. Although visitation changes for ALL outpatient clinic appointments start June 16, 2020, Winder clinic will not start until June 22, 2020 when they resume normal operations. One (1) ADULT visitor will be permitted for outpatient Pediatric appointments. Siblings are not permitted without exception. One (1) ADULT visitor will be permitted for L&D triage (outpatient) examination. No children are permitted. Ancillary clinics to include Radiology and Laboratory are not permitting visitors at this time due to limited waiting spaces which cannot facilitate social distancing guidelines. Pediatric patients and those with physical limitations will be allowed one (1) ADULT visitor. Each adult patient undergoing surgery or a procedure is allowed one (1) ADULT visitor during their care and must follow visiting hours. Pediatric surgical patients are allowed two (2) ADULT visitors during their care. These visitors are not limited to visiting hours. Further exceptions to this policy may be made on a case-by-case basis in concert with the multi-disciplinary care team at the discretion of the Attending Physician of Record.
Emergency Room (ER) Services …
• Each patient is allowed one (1) ADULT visitor during their ER visit. All visitors of non-acute ER patients who wish to remain in the waiting areas will be asked to wait in their car to ensure social distancing. Each pediatric patient receiving care in the ER is allowed two (2) ADULT visitors. No visitors will be allowed in rooms of patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who are being tested for COVID-19 , except for Pediatric or end of life/critically ill patients.Further exceptions to this policy may be made on a case-by-case basis in concert with the multi-disciplinary care team at the discretion of the Attending Physician of Record.