Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Charlie (Substantial Risk Threat): The Health Protection Condition for the installation is Charlie and is defined as a substantial threat of disease for personnel due to a local epidemic outbreak of a disease with a high morbidity rate, imminent spread of such a disease to the local area, and/or a wide area of contamination that requires special or costly avoidance procedures. More information is available in DOD Instruction 6200.03, Public Health Emergency Management within the DoD.

Consistent with the Commander, United States Forces Japan’s 6 April declaration of a Public Health Emergency (PHE), the installation commander has declared a PHE for Yokota Air Base. All implemented preventative measures are now mandatory for all personnel present on or assigned to Yokota Air Base. This includes but is not limited to all DOD uniformed personnel, U.S. civilian employees, dependents, DoD retirees, contractors, host nation employees and any other person accessing the installation to include those assigned to a mission partners/tenant unit. 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.

 

 

Procedures:

PRIMARY SCREENING PROCEDURE: There will be signs at the gates directing primary screening and ID checks. As individuals arrive at the gate, signs will direct drivers to keep windows rolled up and all individuals inside the vehicle to respond to questions with a thumbs up or a thumbs down. If a thumbs down is given for all questions, individuals will be allowed to proceed onto base. If a thumbs up is given for any question, individuals will be directed to the appropriate secondary screening site managed by the 374th Medical Group.

SECONDARY SCREENING PROCEDURE:

Fussa Gate: Positive primary screeners will proceed to the VCC for secondary screening.

Supply Gate: Positive primary screeners will be held at the gate until a mobile screening team arrives to complete secondary screening. MLCs who have a positive primary screening will be turned away and instructed to contact their liaison to arrange for secondary screening.

Terminal/West Gates: Positive primary screeners will be turned around and sent down Route 16 to Fussa Gate/VCC for secondary screening.

East Gate: Positive primary screeners will be escorted by a medical vehicle to the Medical Group screening tent for secondary screening.

Tama Gate: There is not a secondary screening option. If an individual has a positive primary screening, he or she will be turned away.

Gate Hours of Operation:

Fussa Gate: 0600-2100 (Vehicle); 0600-0100 (Pedestrian)

Supply Gate: (Only for JASDF and Civilian Contractor Personnel): Monday to Friday; 0600- 1800 (Vehicle); 0600-1800 (Pedestrian) 3

Terminal: 24/7 Access for Vehicles; No Pedestrian Traffic

West Gate: 24/7 Access for Vehicles; No Pedestrian Traffic except for 0100-0600

East Gate: 0600-2100 (Vehicle); 0600-0100 (Pedestrian)

Tama Gate: 24/7 Access for Vehicle/Pedestrian Traffic

DoDEA Schools: Schools will not resume normal operations on April 13. Please direct your questions to DoDEA Pacific. Click here for more info.

School Age Care: Closed

Child Development Center: Mil-mil and single-parent active duty members

Youth and Teen Center: Closed

Dining Facilities: Open for take-out/delivery services

Chapel: All in-person Chapel services and mass gatherings are suspended. Some on-line alternative formats are available. Follow “Yokota AB Chapel” on Facebook for updates on services and other Chapel program events.

FSS Activities: The shuttle schedule to Narita, Haneda and the New Sanno is changing. The new schedule will go into effect on 1 April 2020. Please monitor the Yokota FSS website for event updates at https://yokotafss.com

Base Exchange and Defense Commissary Agency: At this time, the commissary remains open and has enough resources to accommodate Team Yokota service members and their families. Certain items may be limited to one per transaction (i.e. hand sanitizer, toilet paper rolls, etc.) to ensure access for more individuals. AAFES and DeCA are working closely with their U.S. and local supply chains to ensure hand sanitizer and disinfectant products are available to their customers. Updates will come in-store and across their social media. The commissary is performing 100% customer ID checks. Customers will be requested to present their CAC, dependent, or other form of accepted ID to a commissary representative upon entering.

At this time, the commissary remains open and has enough resources to accommodate Team Yokota service members and their families. Certain items may be limited to one per transaction (i.e. hand sanitizer, toilet paper rolls, etc.) to ensure access for more individuals. AAFES and DeCA are working closely with their U.S. and local supply chains to ensure hand sanitizer and disinfectant products are available to their customers. Updates will come in-store and across their social media. The commissary is performing 100% customer ID checks. Customers will be requested to present their CAC, dependent, or other form of accepted ID to a commissary representative upon entering.

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 usual. 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

374th Airlift Wing members should implement social distancing to the maximum extent possible and avoid social gatherings that are likely to have more than 20 individuals in attendance. Members are strongly encouraged to utilize take-out services.

In order to prevent the introduction, transmission, and spread of communicable diseases, there will be limitations on movement imposed during the period of the Public Health Emergency.  These limitations on movement apply whether personnel are on duty, on leave, in liberty status, or on pass.  The local area is now defined as Yokota Air Base and base member’s personal residence if members live off base. For all personnel that live on Yokota Air Base, they are required to stay on the installation unless travelling within the immediate vicinity of the installation for the purpose of obtaining essential services. Essential services include take-out food, grocery shopping, gasoline, postal services, medical supplies, veterinary services, household cleaning supplies, and shopping for personal care necessities such as toiletries. All travel for non-essential services is prohibited until the expiration of the PHE. Non-essential services include but are not limited to sit-down restaurants, bars, night clubs, onsens and public baths, off-base fitness facilities, shopping malls, leisure shopping, movie theaters, arcades, indoor game centers, and Pachinko halls. For all personnel who currently live off-base, they may still travel to and from the installation and may travel within the immediate vicinity of this installation or their personal residence for the purpose of obtaining essential services. Private transportation shall be used for essential services travel to the maximum extent permitted.  Mission-essential travel is authorized during the period of this order. Mission-essential travel includes but is not limited to off-base medical appointments, official duty at another U.S. military installation, appointments with Government of Japan officials, and U.S., embassy visits. If there are questions on what qualifies as an essential service, please consult your chain of command.

Travel outside the local area is not authorized without an approved Exception to Policy by the first General Officer in the member’s chain of command.  Exceptions to Policy will only be approved on a case by case bases for (a) mission essential travel, (b) humanitarian travel, or (c) extreme hardships.  For 5th Air Force personnel, the authority is the vice commander, 5th Air Force. Mission-essential travel refers to work that must be performed to ensure the continued operations of mission essential functions. Personnel returning to Japan or departing Japan on an ETP will be subject to a 14-day Restriction of Movement (ROM).  Any contract employee or other person visiting or normally working on a U.S. facility and area, who has been in a CDC Designated Level 2 or Level 3 location is not permitted entry into a U.S. facility or area for a period of 14 days (starting from the day of departure from a CDC Designated Level 2 or Level 3 location).  Contractor personnel should consult with their Contractor employer if they meet any criteria for restriction of movement/isolation/and/or quarantine. Travel by patients and medical providers for the purpose of medical treatment for DoD personnel and their family members is authorized. Individuals pending retirement or separation during this period are exempt.

Medical Screening/Returning to Japan:  Travelers on military aircraft or traveling via shuttle to the Yokota Passenger Terminal should expect a medical screening to include a questionnaire to assess risk of exposure and temperature checks. All service members, U.S. Civilians, and SOFA dependents who have traveled to, through, or from a CDC Designated Level 3 or Level 2 country, the U.S. or U.S. territories by military or commercial means to include Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Temporary Duty (TDY) and leave will be placed under a 14-day restriction of movement (ROM) and should travel by non-public transportation means to their residence or appropriate domicile. Please check levels at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html. Additionally, those who have been in close physical contact with someone who has returned from a relevant location or who has been in close physical contact with someone who has been identified as having COVID-19, or has been diagnosed with COVID-19 are highly encouraged to observe a 14-day ROM.

Quarantine/ROM Procedures:  Please note that Quarantine and Restriction of Movement only differ in that quarantine is a medical term. During the ROM starting from the day of departure from the Level 3 or Level 2 country, the U.S. or U.S. territories, service members will be restricted to their residence or other appropriate location for 14 days and limit close contact (within 6 feet or 2 meters) with others during this 14-day period. Service members should self-monitor by taking their temperatures twice a day to check for fever, and remain alert for cough or difficulty breathing. If they develop symptoms, they should self-isolate, limit contact with others, notify their supervisor or chain of command, and seek advice by telephone from the appropriate healthcare provider to determine whether medical evaluation is needed. Service members should call the medical appointment line before going to the Medical Group or Urgent Care at DSN: 225-8864 Opt. 7 or Cell: 042-552-2510 Ext. 58864 Opt. 7.  As of 27 March 2020, all members being placed in ROM will be provided a ROM policy letter outlining the ROM policy for Yokota Air Base. 

CDC Designated Level 3 Countries (Including Japan, 26 other countries, and most of Europe) – Effective March 13, 2020, all DoD uniformed personnel, civilian personnel and family members traveling to, from, or through Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Health Notices Level 3 for COVID-19, will STOP MOVEMENT for the next 60 days. This includes all forms of official travel, to include Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Temporary Duty (TDY), and government funded leave. For uniformed personnel, this includes personal leave and other non-official travel. DoD travelers should carefully plan travel to ensure their scheduled flights DO NOT transit through or originate in Level 3 designated locations. DoD civilian employees, contractor personnel and family members are highly encouraged to restrict their movement to areas in Japan. Family members and civilian personnel ARE authorized travel by their own means to the U.S., U.S. territories, and CDC Designated Level 2 countries; however, they will be under the 14-day ROM outlined above upon their return to Japan. Similarly, those who travel to the U.S., including DoD uniformed personnel traveling under an exception will be under a ROM upon arrival to the U.S. Everyone is encouraged to check the CDC website for Travel Health Notices Level updates, which are subject to change: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html. 

All personnel are highly encouraged to address their particular travel circumstance with their chain of command. 

**This travel guidance applies to all with exceptions for air crew of military aircraft. Air crew members should consult their supervisors and/or chain of command in regard to travel restrictions.

Indo-Pacific Command has issued travel restrictions for all personnel traveling through Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Travel Health Notices (THN) Level 3 and Level 2 designated areas.

Leave:  DoD uniformed personnel in a CDC THN Level 3 country including Japan are prohibited from taking personal leave or other non-official travel outside of the local area.  Leave requested by military members or U.S. civilian employees must be approved by their Squadron Commander or equivalent.  For members living outside the local area, they can also take leave in their personal residence.  Leave or emergency leave outside of the local area must be granted as an Exception to Policy by the first General Officer in the member’s chain of command.  Members out on leave prior to 27 Mar 2020 do not have to be recalled.

Inbound TDY:  Travel deemed mission essential to Japan requires 5 AF/CV approval.  Coordinate with your chain of command for exceptions. Those traveling from CDC Designated Level 2 countries and the U.S. or U.S. territories (including intermediate stops) are authorized to return to their home station; however, all are subject to the 14-day ROM outlined above.

Return from TDY:  Travel deemed mission essential from Japan requires the first General Officer in your chain of command’s approval.  If TDY to or from installations in Japan; travel to home installation and personal residence is permitted with first General Officer in your chain’s concurrence. Individuals who are on TDY to CDC Designated Level 3 countries are under a stop movement and are required to remain in place for 60 days unless traveling under an exception. If TDY to a CDC Designated Level 2 country and the U.S., individuals are under a stop movement, and must receive General Officer approval to return to Japan and are subject to the 14-day ROM outlined above.

Inbound/Outbound PCS:  PSC-ing to Japan is not authorized at this time due to the international stop movement order. Leave enroute: At this time, leave enroute is not authorized for any category of move.  Exceptions to this policy must have General Officer approval.

Space available (Space-A) travel is now limited to ‘category one’ (Emergency Travel) only.

Face masks will NOT prevent you from contracting COVID-19 from others. However, they may reduce the risk of spreading the virus if used properly by those who are experiencing symptoms. The use of face masks at medical facilities is crucial for the safety and health workers and other people who are taking care of those infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility). When wearing a mask, do not neglect other essential preventative measures. If you feel it is necessary you are permitted to wear a mask in uniform as you see fit. Wash your hands before and after touching your mask. Complete surgical mask instructions can be found the World Health Organization website.

As part of the effort to reduce the introduction, transmission, and spread of communicable diseases, all personnel should avoid social gatherings that are likely to have more than 20 people in attendance. When conducting essential services as listed above that could potentially have more than 20 people present, members should implement social distancing (6 feet or 2 meters) to the maximum extent possible. All personnel can still participate in outdoor activities on the installation where social distancing can be maintained including, but not limited to, hiking, running, biking, and walking a pet. If there are questions on public gatherings, please consult your chain of command.

All Personnel who possess a DoD ID card or other appropriate access card to Yokota Air Base can continue to access the installation. Contractors who are on an approved Entry Access List or are escorted by an authorized sponsor can continue to access the installation during the period of this order to solely fulfill their contractual obligations. Contractors are only authorized to visit their designated place of performance on the installation.

The ability to sign visitors onto base is removed for the time period of this order. DoD uniformed personnel, U.S. civilian employees, dependents of military and civilian employees, MLC employees, LN employees, JASDF personnel, JGSDF personnel, and any other sponsors are prohibited from escorting guests onto base during the period of this order. Official visits escorted by U.S. or Japanese military personnel and/or U.S. civilian employees are exempt from this requirement. Base passes previously granted before the date of this order are no longer valid. Personnel wishing to sponsor an individual onto the installation for good cause and/or an extraordinary reason can request an exception to policy be granted. The approval authority for exceptions to this policy will be the first General Officer in the chain of command for tenant organizations that have a General Officer on base (i.e. HQ 5 AF, HQ USFJ, DSRJ, and HQ ADC). For requests from all other units without a local General Officer, I will be the approval authority for exceptions to this policy as the installation commander. An exception to policy form was distributed to commanders and tenant units in March and has been attached to this order.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has directed Health Protection Condition Charlie associated with the COVID-19 outbreak in the region. Yokota AB is implementing measures accordingly across the installation to ensure the health and safety of Team Yokota. Please avoid misinformation and refer to official USFJ sources regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. Yokota AB is working closely with USFJ to ensure accurate information is available for our community as quickly as possible.

There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Yokota Air Base. We will continue to monitor the situation 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.

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath and breathing difficulties

• Avoid close contact with sick people
• Stay home if you are sick
• Avoid touching your face
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and common use items
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available

Your Supervisor & Chain of Command

Medical Group Appointment Line: 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)