Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson has updated their public health emergency that was issued earlier this month, which is in effect for 30 days. JBER’s Public Health Emergency Declaration was declared on September 17th. In the Wednesday update, mask wear is now required indoors at all off base facilities. Additionally, mask wearing is required outdoors on and off base when not able to maintain 6 feet social distancing. The requirements are subject to exceptions for on base mask wear, including medical exemptions, religious accommodation and workplace safety exceptions.
Maj. Joshua Eaton, JBER’s Public Health Emergency Officer painted a picture of COVID’s impact on the community:
“The CDC announced that Alaska is one of the tip five states for COVID transmissions. The seven day average case count is rapidly approaching an all time high for the state as well. Hospital admissions and deaths continue to climb and the inpatient COVID positive rate has reached about an all time high. We are experiencing serious threats to medical capacity and the ability to take care of patients in the hospitals throughout the state. Weekly case counts on JBER continue to rise as well. Currently, medical assessment indicates that it may take up to four weeks for COVID cases, hospitalizations and associated deaths to trend lower. All JBER personnel are urged to limit movement into areas not requiring masking, distancing, and other COVID mitigations.”
Additionally, non-essential indoor activities and establishments that do not adopt COVID mitigation protocols should be avoided, according to JBER’s installation commander. Household family members of individuals who are diagnosed with COVID are required to quarantine for 7 days regardless of vaccination status.
Click here for the updated information from JBER.
