Yokota continues to refine the ROM process to mitigate any potential exposure. Now, more than ever, sponsors are encouraged to find new and creative ways to continue to support their inbound personnel and be fully involved throughout their arrival.
However, sponsors will no longer be authorized to pick up personnel directly from the terminal in order to reduce the risk of possible COVID-19 exposure. Instead, inbound personnel will be taken via shuttle to Bldg. 400, which will be the ROM reception area and will service personnel until their lodging or residence is ready. The ROM reception area amenities will include wi-fi, pet relief area, seating, and a DSN phone for use. Food may be delivered via delivery options or sponsor drop-off.
Sponsors will ensure lodging or housing is reserved and coordinated. In addition, they will ensure that Pet Care Center or pet friendly lodging reservations are made when necessary. When applicable, keys need to be dropped off at Bldg. 400, Room 107 between 0800 and 1000 Monday through Friday at least one day prior to the newcomer’s arrival.
Members flying into commercial airports with pets will need to reserve pet transportation 3 weeks in advance through FSS.
Your health and well-being continues to be our top priority.
One individual in the Yokota community tested positive for COVID-19 7-9 April. The current number of active cases at Yokota is two.
The individual had been in post-travel Restriction of Movement (ROM) upon entry into Japan from the United States when the individual received results from a PCR test. The patient followed USFJ ROM policy and went directly into ROM status once the individual arrived to Japan.
Public Health is notifying all close contacts of the COVID positive individual and appropriate actions are being taken. The patient is currently in isolation under supervision by medical providers.
Please continue to work together patiently because the actions of every individual makes an impact on our entire community.
The command remains at a heightened level of alert and adheres to the overall U.S. Forces Japan public health emergency declaration, which applies to all SOFA personnel.
The leadership team is actively monitoring and continually assesses the risks of COVID-19 while keeping the safety of our team and the local community as the highest priority. Thank you for observing all protective measures with a sense of humility, kindness, and commitment to keeping our community safe.
The information contained in this message is up-to-date at the time it is published. The information may differ from other organizations’ reports based on timing and local reporting guidance.
A reduction to the number of active cases occurs only after an individual previously confirmed positive for COVID-19 has completed the required medical quarantine period and been released by Public Health from isolation.
If you are experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, sore throat, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or sudden loss of taste and smell), DO NOT go to work or expose others. Call the medical appointment line at DSN: 225-8864 Opt. 7 or Cell: 042-552-2510 Ext. 58864 Opt. 7 for evaluation and instructions. For questions about ROM, please utilize your chain of command.
Consistent with higher headquarters direction, Yokota AB will be accelerating the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to more Phase 1 personnel. Individuals selected are based on medical necessity and continuation of mission essential operations and services.
Due to changes in the distribution timeline, there may be more opportunities for specified groups to receive their first dose and as well as changes to second dose schedules.
Every effort will be made to contact all individuals affected by this change. If there are any questions, please reach out to your healthcare provide by utilizing proper methods, such as Secure Messenger (which can be accessed via www.tricareonline.com) or placing a telephone consult with your provider (DSN: 225-8864 or Cell: 042-552-2510 Ext. 58864).
The Department of Defense has full confidence in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for use under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). That means the vaccine is voluntary and personnel are highly encouraged to educate themselves about the vaccine in order to receive it. None of the factors that contributed to the accelerated development of a COVID-19 vaccine imply that safety, scientific or ethical integrity are compromised, or that short-cuts have been made.
Although the vaccination process has begun, all personnel should continue to diligently adhere to all protective measures in accordance with the latest Public Health Emergency policy:
Besides the protective measures we’ve observed together as a community, the vaccine will be our first real offensive tool to prevent future spread of the COVID virus. The vaccine will help protect your health, your families and our entire community, and lower the public health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The vaccine distribution process is phase-driven to safely protect DoD personnel from COVID-19 as fairly and as quickly as possible while also ensuring continued DoD mission capability. We will continue to share information to the maximum extent possible regarding administration of the vaccine, to include notification to groups on the timeline for their particular phase. We appreciate your continued patience and support. For more information on the vaccine administered at Yokota Air Base, please refer to:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Moderna.html?fbclid=IwAR2gRWN6mtu-sBu9V9eoWyu_UP8mJ9SDxxGfgRQHNx-utQy2Zrtg0pOjUDE
Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Bravo (Moderate Threat): The Health Protection Condition for the installation is Bravo and is characterized as a moderate threat and/or a real risk of exposure to personnel due to a significant outbreak of disease in the local area.
More information is available in DOD Instruction 6200.03, Public Health Emergency Management within the DoD.
Continued transmission of COVID-19 cases in Japan present a risk to our population. Accordingly, pursuant to DoD Instruction (DoDI) 6200.03, “Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) Within the DoD,” dated 28 March 2019, and Air Force Instruction 10-2519, Public Health Emergencies and Incidents of Public Health Concern, dated 10 December 2019, I have declared a Public Health Emergency under my authority as the installation commander. The following measures are mandatory for all personnel present on or assigned to Yokota Air Base including but not limited to U.S. military members, U.S. civilian employees, all dependents, DoD retirees, Host-Nation (HN) employees, contractors, and any other persons accessing this installation. This order also includes those personnel assigned to mission partners/tenant units. These measures will go into effect Friday 5 February 2021 and remain in effect until Monday 3 May 2021 unless renewed and republished or sooner terminated by me or my successor. I will review this policy every 15 days to determine if these measures need to stay in place or be changed in any manner.
All implemented preventative measures are mandatory for all personnel present on or assigned to Yokota Air Base including but not limited to U.S. military members, U.S. civilian employees, all dependents, DoD retirees, Host-Nation (HN) employees, contractors, and any other persons accessing this installation. This order also includes those personnel assigned to mission partners/tenant units. Any person who refuses to obey or otherwise violates an order during this declared public health emergency may be detained. Those not subject to military law may be detained until civil authorities can respond. In addition, any military member who refuses to obey or otherwise violates an order during this declared PHE may be subject to punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Those not subject to military law who refuse to obey or otherwise violate this order during this PHE may be subject to administrative action including but not limited to early return of dependents, denial of access, or debarment from the installation.
All gates will remain operational with the procedures and hours stated below.
Gate Procedures: When arriving at the gate, please be sure to:
1. Have a face mask on
2. Have your window rolled down
3. Hold up your ID card to be scanned
4. Flip your ID to allow the Security Forces member to verify the picture
Gate Hours of Operation:
-Terminal and West Gate: 24/7 for pedestrians and vehicles; Everyday
-Fussa Gate: Vehicles 0600-2200; Pedestrians 0600-0100; Everyday
-Supply Gate: Vehicles 0600-1800; Pedestrians 0600-2200; Monday-Friday
-East Gate: Vehicles 0500-0100; Pedestrians 0500-0100; Everyday
Please also note that all screening questions have ceased and personnel, SOFA or JASDF, may use any gate.
DoDEA Schools: Please direct questions to DoDEA Pacific and visit www.dodea.edu/Pacific for more information.
School Age Care: Open to currently enrolled Single/Dual military.
Child Development Center: Open to currently enrolled members. Reduced hours: 0730 – 1630.
Youth and Teen Center: Closed.
Chapel: The base chapel has resumed in-person worship services with COVID-19 prevention measures in place. Online alternative formats remain available. Follow “Yokota AB Chapel” on Facebook for more information and updates on services and other Chapel program events. For counseling appointments call 225-7009.
Legal Office/Tax Center: Clients seen by appointment only. Call 225-8069 for legal assistance or 225-4926 for the tax center.
Housing Management Office: Clients seen by appointment only. Please coordinate with housing counselors by phone at 225-3252, or email at 374ceshousing@us.af.mil. FSS Activities: Please monitor the Yokota FSS website for event updates at https://yokotafss.com.
Before you schedule your appointment for a new CAC or Uniformed Service ID Card, visit https://www.cac.mil/Coronavirus to see the changes implemented by the DOD concerning CAC/USID cards during COVID-19.
DoD Civilians and Japanese National Employees must adhere to “sick leave” policies. Work with supervisors for “administrative leave” and alternate schedules/telework due to COVID-19 related Japanese School Closures, etc.
Report to your place of duty as directed. If you are sick, stay home. Those who are experiencing symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty breathing, are directed to report this information to their chain of command and to call the medical appointment line at DSN: 225-8864 Opt. 7 or Cell: 042-552-2510 Ext. 58864 Opt. 7. DO NOT GO TO URGENT CARE IN-PERSON.
To protect our personnel and families from the continued transmission of COVID-19, I have established a local area within Japan. The local area is currently defined as the country of Japan. Members are authorized to travel within the local area for any activities not listed as prohibited in Local Area Limitations, Social Gatherings, and Physical Fitness Activities. Members are also authorized to visit other military installations within the local area; however visiting installations that are currently in HPCON Charlie status requires prior approval from the first O-6 in the member’s chain of command. All DoD uniformed members must remain in the above defined local area while on duty, on leave, on liberty, or on pass unless traveling outside the local area pursuant to the requirements in sections Mission-Essential Travel and Leave. DoD uniformed members departing Japan must be on mission-essential travel (such as TDY or PCS) or in a leave status. SOFA status members of the civilian component and SOFA dependents are highly encouraged to remain within the defined local area and any departure from that local area will subject them to Restriction of Movement policies upon return.
Prohibited non-essential services and activities include bars, night clubs, karaoke clubs, social clubs, or any facility with a potential for crowds, close contact, or closed spaces where COVID prevention measures cannot be maintained. Off-base employment should be conducted in a safe manner using the same social distancing procedures used on base. For off-base schools and daycare facilities, parents should be aware of school policies and make a personal decision based on risk involved with the facility used. While at another U.S. installation in Japan, Yokota members are expected to comply with that installation’s COVID policies. Members are no longer prohibited from visiting amusement/theme parks in Japan. While engaging in non-essential services and activities members must wear masks, sanitize regularly, and practice physical distancing.
Mission-essential travel outside the local area is authorized during the period of this order. Mission-essential travel includes but is not limited to medical appointments, official duty at another military installation, and permissive TDY for house-hunting. If there are questions on what qualifies as mission essential travel, please consult your chain of command. Proceed directly to the mission essential appointment from your residence or Yokota Air Base and return directly to your residence or Yokota Air Base.
Government funded TDY travel for 374th Airlift Wing personnel will be approved by the first O-6 in the traveler’s chain of command. All TDY travel will require this approval unless the purpose for travel is one of the 12 exemptions listed on the Secretary of Defense’s 15 March 2021 policy titled “Update to Conditions-based Approach to Coronavirus Disease 2019 Personnel Movement and Travel Restrictions.”
Public transportation may be used within Japan under the following conditions. Air travel conducted entirely within the country of Japan is permitted. There is no restriction on accessing airports within Japan. Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) travel throughout Japan is permitted. Travel by taxi is still allowed. While on any form of public transportation members must wear a face mask at all times with the exception of eating a meal on an airplane or Shinkansen.
Use of local trains and buses is permitted at all times. Members must be cautious of overly crowded trains during rush hour and to the extent possible plan their trip accordingly. If members notice a train is overly crowded they are recommended to wait for another train. While on any local train or bus members must wear a face mask at all times.
Leave to a personal residence or in the local area may be approved by a first line supervisor. Leave for military or civilian employees outside of Japan may be approved by their squadron commander or equivalent. Approval authorities are required to conduct a risk assessment of the travel with the member and verify the HPCON status of a leave location before approving a leave request. Space Available flights are currently only approved with an Exception to Policy request signed by an appropriately delegated authority per higher headquarters policy.
Space available (Space-A) travel is limited to ‘category one’ (Emergency Travel). For more information, please contact the passenger terminal.
Consistent with guidance from the Secretary of the Air Force, all individuals on Yokota Air Base or Tama Hills Recreation Area will wear cloth face coverings when they cannot maintain social distance. This does not include inside a member’s personal residence or while in private lodging in the defined local area. Children 36 months old and younger are generally not required to wear a face mask on or off-base. Children in Child Development Center programs are also not required to wear a face mask while in the CDC. Multiple individuals riding in the same vehicle are required to wear face masks; however, this does not apply to riding in a vehicle with only immediate family members.
Additionally, all personnel who wish to access Yokota Air Base or Tama Hills Recreation Center shall wear masks when in public off-installation in the defined local area. Japanese citizens commonly wear masks in public settings and our personnel should also do so off-installation at this time of heightened COVID response to prevent the spread of infection and to promote a responsible image to the host nation civilian population. Additionally, wearing masks off-installation is a preventive and risk mitigation measure that can allow the increase of off-installation activities in a safe manner. Members may remove masks while conducting outdoor activities on or off-base provided they maintain 6 feet of distance from non-family members. Members may temporarily remove their masks while actively consuming food at a restaurant provided they wear a mask into the restaurant and put the mask back on when they are finished with their meal. Any member declining to wear a mask in public during the period of this order and not under one of the exceptions mentioned above may be temporarily denied access to the installation or debarred.
Due to a recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the local area, all social gatherings are currently limited to 10 persons or 3 families in attendance. Exceptions to this rule may be approved by Squadron Commanders (or equivalent for mission partners/joint service personnel). Social gatherings are defined as groups of people who are together outside of the work area for non-mission essential purposes. When dining in restaurants or conducting other activities not prohibited in paragraph 3, personnel should ensure they are maintaining social distancing and wearing cloth masks even when in groups of less than 10 people unless they are only with immediate family members.
An exception to this limited social gathering rule is allowed for attendance at off-installation religious services so long as attendance can be conducted in a safe manner. Those wishing to attend such services off-installation must exercise caution such as physically distancing requirements and wearing masks except for short duration to take part in religious rituals/rights/observances that require consumption. If members find that services are not being conducted in a safe manner, it is their personal responsibility to remove themselves from such an environment. Personnel who live outside the defined local area may walk a pet near their residence and engage in outdoor activities near their residence so long as social distancing can be maintained. Personnel who find themselves in an area with a potential for crowds, close contact, or closed spaces where COVID prevention measures cannot be maintained, should immediately remove themselves from that location. If there are questions on social gatherings, please consult your chain of command.
All personnel possessing a DoD ID card or other appropriate access card to Yokota Air Base can continue to access the installation. Contractors must be on an Entry Access List or be escorted by an authorized sponsor solely to fulfill their contractual obligations. Contractors are only authorized to visit their designated place of performance.
Adult DoD ID card holders can sponsor up to 5 guests per adult DoD ID card holder as a personal visitor on Yokota Air Base. Adult DOD ID card holders are defined as those card holders age 18 years or older. Adult DoD ID card holders can sponsor up to 8 guests for visiting Tama Hills Recreation Area by signing in at the security station on Tama Hills.
In order to sponsor a guest onto Yokota Air Base, the adult DoD ID card holder must go to the Visitor Control Center between the hours of 0600 and 2200, seven days a week to obtain a pass. DoD ID card holders will be able to attain a 24 hour pass for their sponsored guest and must be with their guest at all times while on Yokota Air Base. Official visitors are exempt from these limitations if they are escorted by U.S. or Japanese military personnel and/or U.S. civilian employees to meet with personnel for official duties. Exceptions to this policy for personal visitors will be routed to the first General Officer/SES in the chain of command for tenant organizations that have a General Officer/SES on base. For all other units, I will be the approval authority. An exception to policy form was previously distributed.
Daily contact tracing logs are required for all military members, civilian component, SOFA-status dependents, and local national employees. Logs will only be reviewed by medical professionals or medically trained teams. Log entries are required if the contact meets the following conditions:
a. Being within approximately 6 feet (2 meters) of an individual for longer than 15 minutes cumulative within a 24 hour period with or without a mask on (Off-base - record the location and duration of your visit);
b. Anyone with whom you had physical contact while caring for, living with, or visiting (with the exception of your immediate family living in your home);
c. Anyone with whom you shared a health care waiting room (please denote time, name of clinic, duration, and location of waiting room; no need to write down all patients names); and
d. Anyone having direct contact with an individual’s secretions (e.g. being coughed or sneezing on).
Members are encouraged to engage in physical fitness activities where social distancing and cleaning of equipment can be maintained. However, there still remains a risk in group physical fitness activities where masks are not worn, social distancing cannot be maintained, or equipment is shared between multiple individuals. Accordingly, all personnel will wear a face mask at all times while in base fitness facilities including while engaging in physical exercise. The only exception to wearing a mask in base fitness facilities will be for members actively engaging in cardiovascular exercise on a cardio machine, momentarily removed to hydrate, or while members are in the sauna/steam room or showers. Members conducting outdoor fitness activities on or off-base may remove masks provided they maintain 6 feet of distance from non-family members.
Moreover, the following group fitness activities without participation limits are permitted where masks are worn or social distancing is maintained: volleyball, baseball, softball, tennis, and gymnastics. All equipment should be thoroughly cleaned after use in a permitted activity. Modified practice of group fitness activities (i.e. individual skill drills, conditioning, forms practice, shooting practice, etc.) may take place where strict social distancing is maintained or masks are worn and when there is no sharing of equipment or thorough cleaning of equipment is maintained.
All group fitness activities not mentioned above may be conducted on or off-base so long as participants comply with the following directives. Group fitness activities must be limited to 10 participants unless it is a FSS approved activity such as intramural sports, adult fitness classes, or youth sports/fitness activity. All participants in group fitness activities must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth while involved in the activity and within six feet of other participants or while sharing sports equipment. No travel sports are currently permitted, with the exception listed in the following paragraph. in this section, meaning that teams cannot travel off-base for competitive events or practice and Yokota Air Base groups cannot invite teams from off-base onto the installation. All equipment should be thoroughly cleaned after use in a permitted activity. These directives will be continually evaluated and adjusted as required.
Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools are permitted to engage in travel sports activities with other DoDEA participating schools so long as: (1) the competitive event or practice is held on Yokota Air Base or another DoD installation; (2) the competing DoDEA school has agreed to participate in the event and the host DoD installation has agreed for it to take place there; (3) all participants comply with the approved DoDEA COVID mitigation plan for that sporting activity; and (4) no overnight travel is required for the competitive event or practice.
Squadron Commanders (or equivalent for mission partners/joint service personnel) may approve unit Physical Training events beyond the 10 participant limit. All participants in unit Physical Training events must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth when within a base fitness facility, within six feet of other participants, or while sharing sports equipment. All equipment used during unit Physical Training events must be sanitized after use.
We will continue to monitor the situation with regard to COVID-19 and provide updates as we receive them. If you or someone you know may be exhibiting these symptoms please contact the Medical Group appointment line at DSN 225-8864 Opt. 7. For updates on the coronavirus, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html or https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public.
If you are experiencing mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, sore throat, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or sudden loss of taste and smell), DO NOT go to Urgent Care. Call the medical appointment line at DSN: 225-8864 Opt. 7 or Cell: 042-552-2510 Ext. 58864 Opt. 7. This COVID hotline is only intended for medical triage. Your call will be answered as soon as possible but delays may occur during periods of high volume. For questions about ROM please utilize your chain of command.
Your Supervisor & Chain of Command for questions on policy.
Medical Group Appointment Line for medical triage only: DSN: 225‐8864 Opt. 7 or Cell: 042‐552‐2510 Ext. 58864 Opt. 7.
Yokota Air Base Facebook @YokotaAirBase: https://www.facebook.com/yokotaairbase
Yokota Air Base Website: https://www.yokota.af.mil/COVID-19/
Yokota Connect App
Commander’s Access Line (374AW.PA.CommandersAction@us.af.mil)
Vaccinated SOFA-status personnel: All DoD uniformed personnel, members of the civilian component, and individuals with SOFA-status arriving in Japan from another country that are fully vaccinated (14 days after a 2 dose series or single dose vaccine) shall travel directly to their domicile and will, at a minimum, conduct a working ROM for a period of 7 days and have a negative viral test (Antigen or PCR) upon completion of ROM. This will be followed by a 7 day period (days 8 through 14) of restriction to their associated U.S. installation for a total of 14 days of ROM.
Unvaccinated SOFA-status personnel: All DoD uniformed personnel, members of the civilian component, and individuals with SOFA-status arriving in Japan from another country that are not fully vaccinated shall travel directly to their domicile and remain there for a ROM period of 10 days. This will be followed by a 4 day period (days 11 through 14) of restriction to their associated U.S. installation for a total of 14 days of ROM.
**Please see the ROM policy memo for further applicable procedures and conditions.**
FAQ
How to get a COVID test
How to get COVID test results
COVID High Risk personnel
Yokota Medical Clinic DSN: 225-8864 Comm: 042-552-2510